Published: December 15, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea pub shuts as financial downturn hits

A Burnham-On-Sea pub shut its doors for the final time on Sunday night (December 14th) after its landlords said they could no longer afford to run the business.

The Lighthouse in Highbridge Road was leased from struggling pub chain Enterprise Inns by landlord Keith Holman (pictured) and wife Marci, who told Burnham-On-Sea.com the costs of running it had risen too high in recent months.

"The costs have got out of hand and we couldn't afford to go on any longer," Keith told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"We were in the middle of the sale of the pub earlier this year and when that unfortunately fell through we were left in a difficult position."

"Hopefully, Enterprise Inns will be able to find someone else to run it, but we have made the difficult decision to move away to Bridgwater, closer to our family."

Keith added: "It was a touching night last night when we closed for the final time after seven years. We will miss many of our regulars."

Keith has also stepped down from his post as Chairman of the town's pub watch group, and local publican Phil Bamsey has taken over.

Meanwhile, Enterprise Inns has been in the news itself during recent weeks after the company told the stock exchange it had £4.5 billion of debt.