The owner of a popular pub in County Durham has said the establishment will be forced to close its doors if no one steps up to take over when he retires at the end of the month. 

The Coalhouse, which is the premier stop for real ale in the seaside town of Seaham, may close its doors for good on 30 October when the current owner retires, as he has been unable to find anyone to take over the running of the business. 

John McMahon has run the pub since it opened in the summer of 2018, and is currently working alongside his landlord to find someone wanting to take over at The Coalhouse.

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However, they are having difficulty finding someone willing to take the establishment on, which Mr McMahon believes may be due to the tough economic climate business owners and the public are facing. 

The Northern Echo: The pub is located on Seaham's Church Street. Picture: Google StreetviewThe pub is located on Seaham's Church Street. Picture: Google Streetview (Image: Google Streetview)

Mr McMahon said: "I feel the pub business is facing a perfect storm of rising prices, people not having as much disposable income and the probable return of Covid in winter.

"I opened the pub in August 2018 as Seaham's only bar dedicated to serving real ale from breweries in the North East and everything was going fine until the arrival of Covid.

"The lockdown was very difficult and the pub never really recovered as people were reluctant to come out as they did previously - I sense that people's habits have changed and more people are buying from supermarkets rather than paying pub prices."

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The Coalhouse is just the latest pub in the North East to face closure because of the rising cost of living - lots of popular businesses have closed recently, such as Bondgate Tavern in Darlington, and The King's Head in Cockfield. 

Many Seaham residents have been devastated by the news that the Coalhouse will be closing, and have taken to Facebook to mourn. 

A member of CAMRA said: "Bad news that The Coalhouse will close at the end of the month. It will return Seaham to a desperate drinking place with very few places serving real ale."

However, the right candidate may still come forward to take over the beloved pub. If you have been looking for a project in the hospitality industry, get in contact with Mr McMahon At the Seaham Coalhouse to save this independent alehouse. 

 

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