Sadness as Truro's oldest pub closes amid skyrocketing costs

One of Cornwall’s oldest pubs has closed after its tenants left blaming skyrocketing costs. Pubco giant Punch Pubs and Co is now looking for someone to take over ’s oldest pub: the White Hart. The company, which has about 1,250 pubs across the UK, said it is planning to give the outside of the 18th Century pub a complete makeover and put up new signs as it seeks someone to take over from the departing landlords.

Dave and Jacki Adams, and Dave’s brother Jason Mitchell, left last week after two years at the New Bridge Street watering hole. They had moved to Cornwall’s capital from Stoke but told local media they had decided to call time on the venture after Chancellor Rachel Reeves' autumn Budget hiked employers’ National Insurance contributions from this month. Mr Adams told reporters that overheads were expected to soar by £30,000 a year and claimed this would make the pub unviable.



On social media the three landlords said: “Sorry to announce that the White Hart will be closed from Sunday. March 30. Thank you all for your custom.

” The post was met with a wave of sadness on social media with Steve Rowland writing: “Sad news indeed, you had some great live music gigs.” Teresa Stevens said: “These past two years, since Jacki and Dave have been behind the bar, have been amazing.” And Lynn Walker posted: “Such a shame.

Lovely pub, lovely people." Lisa Dowding simply called it “the end of an era”. Pubco Punch, however, responded by saying: “Now is an excellent time to take over the White Hart as we have planned a complete external refurbishment and new signage.

Are you seeking a traditional city centre pub serving pub food and a selection of real ales, quiz night and weekly disco? If so, look no further.” The company said the boozer, "opportunistically close to the bus station”, is “steeped in history” and dates from the 1750s when Richard Donnithorne was its landlord. Punch described the pub as “quirky” and “oozing character”.

It had been known as the Crab and Ale House until 2013 and still has crab pots and nautical items in the bar. Punch, offering a flexible tenancy, said it was looking for a “community operator” to take it on and said a “cask ale enthusiast would be a perfect complement”. The company said: “You’ll have bags of energy, giving your guests new reasons to visit with live events and marketing your pub online to drive footfall.

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