The licensees of a Beeston pub will be saying farewell later this month because they can't make it pay. Michael Gratton and Ronnie Guest, of One Union, took over the Malt Shovel in June 2021 and, after giving it a stylish revamp, had high hopes for the pub which had previously been closed for four months.
They had been hoping to turn the traditional 'old man's pub' into a more thriving business with a mix of regulars and new younger drinkers. Plans for kitchen improvements and an extension fell through thought because they claimed the brewery wouldn't invest. They will quit the pub, in Union Street, on October 24 to focus on four others they run in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Mr Guest said: "It's losing money every single week. Obviously with the current situation with energy bills we need to focus on businesses that are doing well. The Malt Shovel was a failing business when we took it over and we thought it would skip to action quicker than it has. I am pretty patient but at the moment it is losing money every single week.
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"The venue is too small to sustain itself. It needs to be bigger than it is, it's quite a small place and for me personally, business-wise for it to work it would need someone to live there and work there. It's just not sustainable for myself which is a shame but what can you do?
"I have only had the Malt Shovel for just over a year, and really you need to have a business for a couple of years before it starts doing really well, but we're in such uncertain times that I just cannot invest in the place. The other places are doing really well so I need to make sure we have minimal risk on those places so that's really what it's about.
"We are always looking. Just because the Malt Shovel hasn't worked out it doesn't mean we're not still looking locally. If there are other business opportunities we will jump on them straight away."
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One Union also runs the Commercial Inn in Beeston, The G.O.A.T. in Hockley and the Jarvis Arms in the Peak District. A few months ago they took over the White Lion in Bramcote.
Mr Guest added: "The White Lion does really well, it's really good business. It's just a good village asset. It's the same brewery as the Commercial so we've got a good relationship with the manager who looks after the estate for the East Midlands and she asked us to take it on.
"Ivan (the former landlord) is a great guy and it's been a good business from the minute we took over. We've pretty much followed on with what he was doing. Same food, same staff, it's really good, a great place."
Their departure from the Malt Shovel was announced in a Facebook post, which said: "It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that as of Monday October 24th, The Malt Shovel Beeston will no longer be operating under the One Union banner.
"We have had an amazing journey with one of Beestons favourite pubs but sadly our time here has come to an end. We would like to say thank you to Sam, Ollie & Molly for their huge support in making the Malt Shovel the fantastic venue that we all know and love.
"As the Malt Shovel is owned by a pub company, at this moment we are unsure what the future holds. If you are an artist booked to play or have a booking here, Ollie will be in touch with you over the course of this week to arrange alternative venues.
"Our incredible Open mic night ‘Beeston Beats’ hosted by Emma Bladon Jones will be moving to The Commercial Inn, Beeston at a slightly later time of 7pm every Sunday from 30th October. We thank you all for your continued support over this journey and look forward to welcoming you all at The Commercial Inn."
The Malt Shovel is owned by Star Pubs & Bars, which is advertising the business with an annual rent of £16,985 and looking for an "ambitious forward-thinking operator" to take over. The blurb says: "We are looking for someone who has the energy and creativity to develop this business. It would be perfect for a first-time operator or someone looking to develop their career in a busy town centre environment."
Star Pubs & Bars has been contacted for a comment.
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