Popular town pub suddenly closes doors following two other closures leaving locals devastated
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LOCALS have shared their devastation after popular town pub has shut due to an eyewatering rent rise. The Castle Inn closed on January 6, leaving just eight pubs left in the town of 11,000 people. It follows a string of recent hospitality closures in the area, with the Queen's Head and former Conservative Club shutting just 12 months ago.
![[Castle Inn Citing rocketing costs, https://www.monmouthshirebeacon.co.uk/news/shock-closure-of-town-centre-castle-inn-pub-755235]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-landlords-have-called-time-on-the-popular-Castle-Inn-citing-rocketing-costsjpeg-JS965760413.jpg?strip=all&w=669)
The owners of the Castle Inn in Monmouth said they were forced to close the boozer after landlords decided to hike rents by 75%. Owner Paul told the Monmouthshire Beacon that the landlord wanted to take the rent from £24,000 a year to £42,000. He also revealed issues with one of the neighbours who "could smell food cooking and reported it to the environmental health officer".
He added: "The Environmental Health Officer wanted an extension to the extractor chimney, which was going to cost a lot of money, plus there was no guarantee we’d get planning consent.". The publican had opened the venue back in 2020 with his business partner Carl Willett.
It was previously known as The Gloucestershire House but was renamed as part of the revamp. Locals have branded the decision as "absolutely disgusting," with many horrified by the actions of both the landlord and neighbour. One said: "Shame on that landlord and neighbour - the Castle rescued a historic building, created a lovely beer garden, promoted local farm-to-plate sourcing with their meat supplier.".
