A WINCHESTER pub has closed its doors for business ahead of Christmas amid the cost of living crisis.
Landlords of The Willow Tree in Durngate Terrace have been forced to shut after struggling to keep up with monthly payments, after nearly one year of taking over.
The premises was taken over by Alex Godwin and Connor Rigg on November 22, 2021.
Connor said: "The reason the pub is closed is the cost of living crisis, and we can't afford to keep up with it.
"The brewery is looking for new tenants to take the pub on, and the small refurb being done over December is to prepare it for the new tenants".
Other pubs and restaurants such as The White Horse Inn, Droxford, and The Black Rat, Chesil Street, have also been forced to close due to the increase in energy bills in 2022.
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