'We can't run this pub any more - it's too expensive' (2025)

New tenants are being sought to run the Jolly Carter in Little Lever

A village pub has closed, management blaming ‘high costs’ and declining trade. The Jolly Carter, on Church Street, Little Lever, between Bolton and Radcliffe, has been a mainstay of life in the the village for many years.

Its website describes it as a ‘pub at the heart of the community’, which hosts ‘seniors days’, Sunday acoustic music sessions, quizzes and open mic nights and well as the chance to watch a range of sports. Last week the pub informed customers it would be closed on Saturday and Sunday, (March 29 and 30) and apologised for any inconvenience.

On Tuesday (April 1), the current management issued a statement saying that that ‘with immediate effect’ they would no longer be in a position to operate The Jolly Carter.

The pub’s operators, Stonegate Group, is currently marketing a fixed tenancy at the premises, saying it can offer the opportunity of ‘running a thriving pub and shaping a vibrant community hub’.

The current pub management’s statement, said: “It is with sadness that we must inform all of our customers that with immediate effect we will no longer be in a position to operate The Jolly Carter. Unfortunately this is due to various reasons including high cost of rent, high cost of purchasing tied products from the brewery and the extremely high cost of providing Sky, TNT and other silly services.

“The trade has not been as anticipated and at its current levels the business is in decline and losing money every day. We know this will come as a blow to the community and we hope somebody soon will pick up the reigns and deliver The Jolly Carter to all locals and guest in the way it deserves to be delivered.

“For those who supported us on a regular basis, we would like to give you our sincere thanks. We wish all of our customers, our staff and The Jolly Carter as a whole the very very best for the future and hope this business can once again become the heart of the community.”

Stonegate Group is seeking fixed term tenants for the pub on their website. Its ‘run a pub’ section lists the pub as having a forecast yearly turnover of £498,000 and a guide weekly rent of £634.

The pub has a large car park with more than 30 spaces and a beer garden. It has a large trade kitchen with one side of the pub predominantly the restaurant and the other side drinks led.

Stonegate Group describes pub as ‘like many traditional British establishments, serving as a local community hub where people gather for drinks, meals, and social events’. Describing the pub’s atmosphere, Stonegate’s marketing material, added: “Known for its cosy, welcoming vibe typical of many village pubs in the UK.

“It likely has a blend of regular patrons, including locals from Little Lever, and people from nearby areas.” Stonegate Group have been contacted for comment.