Village pub in North Devon closes as costs and challenges mount

A village pub in Bishops Tawton has temporarily closed following the insolvency of the company that operated the business.

A notice displayed on the door of The Chichester Arms, at The Square, East Street, confirmed the closure and thanked customers for their support.

The statement said the decision had been made “with great sadness” and described how the business had faced “significant challenges over recent months”, including rising costs of food, drink, energy and wages.

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The team said they were working closely with the landlords “to ensure this closure is only temporary” and that the pub would reopen “as soon as possible”.

In the message, staff added: “We’d like to sincerely thank all our customers for their continued support, loyalty and understanding during this period. We look forward to welcoming you back very soon.”

According to the latest Insolvency Service data published by the UK government, 2,238 companies in England and Wales became insolvent in May 2025, up 15 per cent compared to the same month in 2024.

Rising operational costs have been cited as a key factor affecting hospitality and retail businesses in particular.

The North Devon Gazette has attempted to contact the pub’s operators for further comment.