Row Barge Pub Reprieved – HMRC Response To Rescue Plan Awaited

Published on: 9 Feb, 2013
Updated on: 11 Feb, 2013

Discussing the Row Barge’s future last week. Community safety warden Gary Jones (left) and David Rose (right).

The Row Barge pub is to be given a second lease of life and will re-open on Monday (February 11).

As reported in The Guildford Dragon NEWS, publican Mark East said last week that there was still a small light at the end of the tunnel and that the decision to close was not, as stated in other local media, completely final.

And on the pub’s Facebook site on Thursday, Mr East was pleased to say: “Real ale has been delivered today and main lager delivery tomorrow. We re-open Monday 12 noon. Chrissie and I would like to thank every single one of you for the support we have had, over the last week.

“It has helped us no end, there will be a few changes and the prices will need to go up, due to brewery increases from 4th Feb,  but we will be open, with all the music, darts, pool and everything else we can do.”

Publican Mark East

Talking to The Guildford Dragon NEWS, Mr East said: “We had further meetings with our accountant who advised us to keep trading and see if the rescue plan we have put to HMRC is accepted. It was their tax demand that has caused the cashflow problem.

We will have to put some prices up a little bit but we will carry on. Chrissie and I would like to continue here until we retire.

We don’t know how long the HMRC decision will take. How long is a piece of string?

The reaction from the community since our possible closure was announced has been simply brilliant.”

Many customers and locals had been very sad to hear that the pub might close, some customers were even reported to have been in tears.

Cllr Zoe Franklin (Lib Den, Stoke) said: “I am delighted that the Row Barge is able to open again on Monday.

“Over the past week I have been made aware that they may be some ways that the community can help support the pub due to the important role it plays in the area so I will be exploring this with Mark and residents groups over the coming weeks.”

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