A VILLAGE pub is set to close after a new tenant could not be found, despite the interest of a community group.

The Ship Inn, Upper Framilode will close on Sunday, September 16.

Owned by Ei Publican Partnerships, the historic pub is located alongside the old Stroudwater Canal.

Peter Rogal is part of The Ship Inn, Framilode Community Group who want to take over the venue but have found Ei unwilling to speak to them.

"The Ship Inn is the only pub in the village and the only pub within easy walking distance of Saul and Framilode Passage. Close it, and the village becomes no more than a backwater, a dormitory, just like so many other villages that have lost their heart to the demands of the Pubcos.

"Ei will argue the pub isn’t viable. That is wrong. A few miles away, the community was able to buy out Ei and what was a failed pub in Ei’s tenanted estate is now a thriving pub at the centre of its community.

"The problem is not the pub, nor is it the community – it is Ei’s failed tenanted pub model that is to blame," he said.

So far the group has received pledges totalling almost £100,000.

The pub is listed as having a potential annual turnover of £214,000 and rent of £18,000. Peter claims these have both fallen more than 20 per cent since 2015.

As the pub is listed as an Asset of Community Value, should Ei put it up for sale the community will have the opportunity to bid for it.

A spokesperson from Ei Publican Partnerships said: “We can confirm the Ship Inn, Framilode will close later this month following the publican’s decision to cease trading. We are currently assessing our options for the site.”