A BOURNEMOUTH pub landlord says they are facing closure due to a lack of support from residents and visitors.

Westbourne pub All Hail Ale, has seen a dramatic decline in customers since the pandemic.

Owner Peter Hector said: "I would say at the moment we are getting on for 50 per cent down from what we were taking before lockdown.

"I know there are various pubs around that aren’t opening at all during the week, I'm one of a few of us that are still open 7 days a week and we are on reduced hours because the money isn’t there.

Mr Hector has another trade working as a subcontractor, which he has taken on to support the business.

He says: "How long I can do that I don’t know, it's been very difficult and I know I'm not the only one suffering.

"I’ve got my loyal customers and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for still coming back but local people should try and support the independents more, yes they might have to pay for it but bigger corporations will still be there because they’ve got a big bank account.

"I haven’t got a big bank account and nor have some of my colleagues but we sell different beers that aren't your standard macros and they're owned by somebody who is saving to put their daughter through dance lessons or their son into kayaking lessons, we're doing it because we're trying to make a living."

If the pub doesn't see an increased footfall in the future, then it will face closure.

Mr Hector said: "If I don't see more people coming in I would possibly have to close the doors and sell the business, I've got to start paying the Bounceback loan back and I've still got to pay my rent, we've had no help from the landlords and we've still got bills to pay.

"The businesses savings are on a slow step down, it is tight and it is quite worrying, I’m now working a second job to support it.

"I don’t want to say goodbye but if things carry on the way they are then it is a possibility that I might have to close the doors and I think there will be other people that will think the same, that its not worth the stress."

In a message to people in the area, Mr Hector said: "I’m here, we’re here, come and use us, we won’t survive on thin air and an empty pub is a costly pub so support your local whether it be a pub, butchers, whatever, just support your local because they’re trying to survive as a family, as well as a business."