The last pub in a Buckinghamshire village has announced it is closing today.

The Crown in Ley Hill in Chesham countryside is shutting its doors after today (June 7).

The licensee Rob Deller-Hoy, 63, said staying open was no longer sustainable because of the impact from Covid recovery, rising energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis hitting customers’ wallets.

He said: “When you factor them all in, it’s just not enough custom anymore. People don’t seem to be coming as of often as before.

“I’m sure I’m not the only pub closing today or this week, there’s about four in Bucks closing just today. It’s the sign of the times.

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“It comes down to disposable income – people are not earning, and the energy crisis is through the roof.

“The energy bills are over £1,600 per month, and that’s just electric, then there’s water and gas. Things are not adding up.”

The Chesham resident of 20 years took over running The Crown, his local pub at the time, almost seven years ago. 

Rob took a seven-year lease out, which is coming up soon.  

The closure of businesses across Buckinghamshire was “a vicious cycle.”

He continued: “The Crown was a community asset, especially for the older people who don’t have anyone else it was a place to come.

“It’s a sad day, two local people came to wish me good luck, I hope to see few more today.”

He admitted the going was good until the Covid pandemic hit.

“It’s been declining in clientele, which reflects the rising in prices, and then the Covid came, and people didn’t come back. It’s never returned to the same,” he said.

There had been a change in customer habits since Covid, with many opting to drink at home instead of going to the local pub.

With cheaper supermarket alcohol, people can get more from shops, meaning the breweries still make money selling to the supermarkets but pubs lose out, Rob explained.

Staff at The Crown has gone down to three from previous five, some of whom were employed on casual basis when needed.

Rob said he didn’t have plans other than resting and maybe taking a holiday since he’s only had “two holidays in six years.”

“I’ve worked everyday for those years. It’s 24/7.

“Basically, we [licensees] are quite alone, you don’t get any help from anyone, and you’re tied into a lease.”

He didn’t know what the Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Bars’ plan for The Crown was, but he hoped the brewery will “bring someone in” to continue.

A spokesperson from Star Pubs and Bars said: “The Crown in Chesham was leased to an independent operator to run as their own business.

"They closed the pub this week without notice. We are working to get it reopened as quickly as possible.”

Next door to The Crown, campaigners have pledged to buy The Swan pub, which has been under threat from development since 2018.