Devon’s pub industry is facing a crisis with many traditional boozers and bars closing. The number of pubs across the UK has been in decline for years but the start of 2025 has seen an unprecedented flurry of Devon landlords calling time.
They include all different types of bars, from traditional country pubs to music venues and family-friendly favourites. The owners have cited a disastrous combination of financial pressures, including rising labour and wholesale costs, inflation, changing habits and a decline in disposable income that have made it impossible for them to carry on.
It is claimed that one in ten British pubs are at imminent risk of closure, with 11 per cent classed as technically insolvent. DevonLive recently totted up the pubs lost in 2024. They included long-established pubs like the Exeter Inn in Topsham and the Lamb in Longdown.
If January is any indication of the year ahead then 2025 could be even worse for the industry.
The loss of Devon’s rural pubs is particularly sad. Many have existed for hundreds of years and have long played a crucial role in village life. Their permanent loss signals the end of an era and a blow to communities.
Here are the pubs and bars who have said they will shut or not return in first week of January 2025.
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Escape Down the Rabbit Hole, Barnstaple
(Image: Escape Down the Rabbit Hole)
A bar that hosts live music and events in North Devon says it has been forced to close due to financial pressure and red tape hitting the hospitality industry. Bar Nirvana at the Rabbit Hole in Barnstaple says it will shut after a farewell evening on Saturday [January 11].
David Matthews, the leaseholder, posted the news on Facebook. He said: “It’s clear that a combination of external pressures, from council regulations to financial challenges, has made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations.
“The enforcement to remove the outside stage and having already lost the heated pods has been a significant loss, especially since they’ve likely been central to the venue’s unique charm and ability to host events.
“The cost of living crisis and upcoming budget changes are only going to add to the difficulty of running such a space. This decision wasn’t made lightly and reflects the harsh realities faced by many businesses in the hospitality and events industry.”
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Bell Inn Monkleigh (Google)
A rural pub in Devon has become the latest to shut its doors – with the owner blaming rising costs. The Bell Inn, Monkleigh, will close for good on Sunday, January 12.
Joshua Johnson only took over the pub near Bideford in May of last year but says it has become impossible to keep trading. He said in a post to customers on Facebook: “It is with the deepest regret and sadness that we must inform you that The Bell Inn, Monkleigh, will be closing its doors for good on Sunday, 12th January, for the foreseeable future.
“I personally don’t know myself what will be happening with the bell once we depart. This decision has not been an easy one, but due to current trade levels and the rising costs of running the business, we are no longer able to operate effectively.”
The Bell Inn describes itself as a traditional pub and dates from the 17th Century. It shares many of the picturesque features found on a typical Devon country pub – a thatched roof, classic pub interior and a stunning garden with views across the countryside. When he took over Josh told DevonLive he had high hopes of building it up and attracting more customers but it has proved too much of a task.
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The Heavitree pub in Exmouth has closed its doors with immediate effect
(Image: Facebook/The Heavitree Exmouth)
A much-loved Exmouth pub has closed its doors “with immediate effect” – becoming the second establishment in the seaside town in as many days to do so.
The Heavitree pub, on the corner of High Street and Chapel Hill in Exmouth, has become a mainstay in the town, having been open for over a decade under various managers and even different names.
But now, the pub’s latest owner has announced “with a heavy heart” that he has been left with no choice but to shut the doors of the Heavitree for good, less than a year after taking on the mantle.
Keegan Walker took to The Heavitree’s social media pages to share the news, writing: “It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the Heavitree will be closing with immediate effect.”
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George Nightingale, the owner of Spoken in Exmouth
(Image: Devon Live)
An Exmouth businessman who is hugely well-known not just for being the owner of a popular restaurant and bar, but for also having organised so many ambitious community events in the town, has announced with ‘sadness and regret’ a change of direction for 2025 that has come as a shock to many people.
George Nightingale, who has run Spoken in the Strand for the past 14 years, has confirmed the venue has closed as of ‘immediate effect’ and that he will no longer be organising events in the town. He has literally gone out with a big bang having organised the town’s recent huge new year’s eve event that aimed to recreate Exmouth’s reputation as being the fancy dress party capital.
The long-term future of Spoken remains uncertain.
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The Inn on the Green in Paignton
(Image: KTA Architects)
The Inn on the Green closed in October, but there were hopes a pub or bar may emerge from its demise. Instead, the plan is for a new car park for both the public and patrons of two hotels.
Anger is mounting in Paignton over plans to demolish the ‘iconic’ seafront pub and replace it with a car park. Objectors say the landmark Inn on The Green is a historic seafront feature, and Torbay MP Steve Darling says it would be a shame to see it flattened.
“There have been some exciting and ambitious developments at neighbouring properties in recent years,” he said. “Is another car park really the best we can do for Paignton?”
The application to knock down the pub, which is already cordoned off with metal fences, has been lodged with the council by the Fragrance Group, which has already built two new hotels for Mercure and Ibis Styles on the seafront.