A LANDLORD says that poor sales and loss of key staff has contributed to his decision to reduce the opening hours of one of his pubs.

The Sun Inn at Dent is no longer serving customers during weekdays, and is presently only open Friday nights and at weekends.

Martin Stafford, who owns both of the village's pubs, is now concentrating all his time and efforts into moving his brewery from his home five miles outside Dent into the village.

He said that the aim of the move was so he could organise guided tours.

"It is no secret that tourism in this area has suffered drastically," he said.

"In Dent we are in the unique situation of being able to do something about it.

Guided brewery tours will bring extra jobs and will regenerate the village greatly.

What we need is for the residents to get behind this idea.

"As everyone in Dent knows, I have been trying to move the brewery into the village for some time.

I recently lost two of my most senior staff, one with maternity leave and the other has been accepted at teacher training college.

Combined with the fact that winter is our quietest period, I decided that this was the ideal time to concentrate on the move, and I have no choice but to temporary close one of the pubs."

Mr Stafford's brewery supplies both The Sun Inn and the George and Dragon pubs and employs three people.

"By locating it close to the two pubs I will be able to do tours similar to those established in other villages," said Mr Stafford.

"You only have to look at the success of places like the Wensleydale Creamery at Hawes to realise the potential there is for the creation of new jobs.

"The closure of The Sun Inn is unfortunate.

However, I have listened to local opinion and we will still be serving over the weekend period.

It will not be impossible though to provide food as I literally do not have the staff."

Plans to move the brewery last year met with local objections.

Mr Stafford is now concentrating on relocating it in other premises within the village that do not require an application for chance of use.

Mr Stafford said he and his backers had asked him not to disclose the new location.

He added that with the exception of a cleaner there have been no redundancies, and that all full-time staff who wished to stay on have been given jobs either at the George and Dragon or at the brewery, and further employment will be created once the tours begin.