THE CLOSURE of a popular pub is hoped to be 'short-lived'.

The General Burgoyne in Great Urswick closed on Tuesday, May 16.

A post made on social media by the pub stated: “It’s with deep regret that we have to announce that we will no longer be running the General Burgoyne.

"We would like to thank those who showed us love and support in this time. This was not an easy decision but one we had to make. We will surely miss you all and wish the Burgoyne all the happiness and success it deserves.”

Claire Farrell and partner Kevin took over the General Burgoyne in October last year.

They said the reason for closing was because they ‘couldn’t keep up the workload’ between the General Burgoyne and the King’s Arms, another pub owned by Claire in Ulverston.

Furness Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chair Jack Summers-Glass said it is ‘always sad’ to see a pub closing but hopes that someone will take the reins at the General Burgoyne swiftly.

He said: “We hope that the closure of the General Burgoyne will be short-lived as Robinsons try to find another brave soul to run it.”

Closure may be in the future for many more pubs that face increasing financial pressure, said Mr Summers-Glass.

 “I have spoken to a number of pubs this week and they all come up with the same story - everything is costing more and balancing the cost of running a pub with the income from customers is getting even more challenging," he said.

“Nearly everyone is finding ways of saving money so there is a danger that pub visits are an area that people see as a way of saving money.

“However, we must remember that a pub is a social place and not just somewhere to go for a drink and in these difficult times, we all need to do something to help our precious pubs over the hard times.

“I would hope that things will ease in the near future but that scenario rests entirely with Government decisions and goodwill from the various pub companies that operate many of our licensed premises.

"Running a pub is not the easiest choice for a career and many tenants, landlords and managers are finding it difficult at the sharp end of the major Pubco’s financial model.”