Dear Friends & villagers,
Changes to the Inn opening hours
Bronwyn and I have owned the Inn for the past sixteen months and, as you will be aware, we have managed to work through some tough personal and business challenges during this period. The most current financial challenge is the recent Business Rates rise imposed by the Local Authority on businesses throughout Monmouthshire. The Inn’s rates have increased by the highest percentage in Monmouthshire, by nearly 600%.
We have worked with our local MP David Davies, Monmouthshire Chamber of Commerce and an independent consultant in order to try and have the rates reduced to a manageable level. However this has proven so far to be fruitless. Business Rates, along with other rising costs, staffing and produce in particular, have demonstrated that we need to change the way we operate and reduce overheads in order to remain viable. According to recent statistics, over 20 pubs a week are closing across the UK due to rising costs & taxes & we have absolutely no intention of being included in this number.
Regrettably therefore, we will be changing our business operating hours as of 2 May 2017 after the May Bank Holiday Monday. We will be closed to the general public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (except for The Inn’s Bed and Breakfast customers) and will open as normal for business on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
New Opening Times:
Monday – Closed – (The Inn’s B&B residents only)
Tuesday – Closed – (The Inn’s B&B residents only)
Wednesday – Closed – (The Inn’s B&B residents only)
Thursday – Closed – (The Inn’s B&B residents only)
Friday 12:00 noon – 12:00 midnight
Lunch 12:00 – 15:00
Dinner 18:00 -21:00
Saturday 12:00 noon – 12:00 midnight
Lunch 12:00 – 15:00
Dinner 18:00 -21:00
Sunday 11:00 – 22:00
Lunch 12:00 – 15:30
Outdoor Woodfired Pizza Oven 18:00 -21:00 (date to be confirmed)
Bank Holidays – 12:00 – 22:00
Lunch 12:00 – 15:00 –Pizza Oven 18:00 – 21:00 (date to be confirmed)
You might have noticed that our builder Nick has started work on our outdoor wood fired pizza oven, which should be operational within a few weeks. We will of course post a notice on the Penallt website when the oven is ready for use.
In respect to ‘Village Night’, we have spoken to Roger Forbes at Pelham Hall to determine whether the Hall would take over Wednesday Village Nights. We understand that essential works are being undertaken to the kitchen and on completion, the committee will determine whether a weekly Village Night is viable. Alternatively, we may in the future, offer Village Night once a month, but dates and times will have to be ironed out to ensure we do not clash with other events locally.
Our kitchen and front of house staff have remained supportive despite the reduction in staff numbers. Although these changes are essential, please be reassured that we will work very hard so that your enjoyment of The Inn during the weekends and bank holidays will not be affected.
We hope that these measures will enable us to maintain our business, to support local staff, to secure our family home and for Penallt to retain an Inn that will remain the hub of the community. We will of course keep you all informed as to our progress, including upcoming events through the Penallt website. The proposed changes will remain constantly under review according to prevailing circumstances.
We thank you in anticipation of your future support.
Kind regards
Chris and Bronwyn
The Inn at Penallt