Loss-making pub in Skillington could become a house

A plan to turn a pub in Skillington into a house has been submitted to the district council.

Applicant Dawn Suchoruczka wants permission for change of use of The Blue Horse Inn.

Planning consultant Matt Hubbard said in a statement: “The Blue Horse has been operating at a loss for some time and the submitted financial records, which are not in the public realm, show that there has been a continual decline in trade, and therefore profit, over time, making the premises unviable in economic terms.”

Mr Hubbard said Mrs Suchoruczka is the current owner and manager of the pub, and has occupied the premises since April 2015.

He said that in the period between April 2015 and December 2015, the pub operated at a loss of just under £15,000, projected to just under £20,000 for the 12-month period.

Mr Hubbard added: “The applicant has recently had to consider reducing the opening hours of the pub and reducing the internal trading area, by closing off parts of the bar area and the restaurant, in order to reduce heating bills and staff wages accordingly.

“The applicant does not want the pub to stand empty and unused for any length of time whilst it is put through an ‘artificial’ sale process in order to justify that there is no demand for the premises as an on-going concern.”