THE landlady at an Eastwood pub has revealed she will be stepping down after struggling to keep up with bills since the Covid pandemic.

Carol Curry, 67, has announced she will be stepping away from the Brookside Tavern, in Rayleigh Road, in April after 28 years running the pub.

Stonegate, the brewery behind the pub, has stated it is committed to the pub staying open but Mrs Carol confirmed she has been told by the company her lease will not be renewed.

The landlady, who has been left devastated by the news, admitted she has struggled to keep up-to-date with rent to the brewery, but pointed the finger at the struggling industry and a lack of trade since lockdown hit in 2020.

Ms Curry initially took over the pub 28 years ago and has remained as landlady for the last 17 years while Stonegate have owned the pub.

Despite her devastation at handing back the keys, she has thanked all her customers for their support.

She said: “I am very sad, but like all good things they come to an end whether you want it to or not.

“I had no choice as Stonegate won’t renew my lease as I owe rent money. I know that is bad but since lockdown it has been really hard to keep up with all the bills and pay back from lockdown.

“I have a lot of memories here; it is where my children grew up. I have had the lease for 17 years but I managed the pub for a company before I bought the lease from them, so I have actually been here for 28 years.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support over the years and I wish them all well from the bottom of my heart.

“I hope at least Brookside will still stay open.”

The announcement has been met with an outpouring of sadness on Facebook, with regulars at the pub admitting they will be gutted to see Ms Curry go.

She says she has been told to vacate the pub on April 17, but has not been given any information about the pub’s future.

Stonegate have told the Echo they have no plans to close the site and insisted it will remain open as a pub.

A spokesperson from Stonegate said: “The Brookside Tavern is currently open and trading as usual. Stonegate has no plans to close the site and the pub will continue to welcome valued guests.”

Stonegate was asked by the Echo to confirm that the current leaseholder isn’t being renewed but is yet to respond.