A MULTI-award-winning pub has reassured customers that it is still open after applying for planning permission to convert the establishment into a house.

As previously reported, Peter and Fran Whitehead, owners of the Fur and Feathers in Herriard, have applied to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to turn the pub into a house.  

Peter has told the Gazette that customers have asked whether the pub remains open, and now he has stepped in to publicly reassure punters that “we are very much open and fighting for survival”.

He said: “We are still hoping that there will still be some support for pubs – the planning application is a fallback solution because this is how my wife and I derive our income.”

Peter said that even if planning permission is granted it is “not a done deal”.

READ MORE: Owners apply to turn award-winning pub in house after 'difficulties'

“We bought the pub as we want to run a pub, we are here trying to find a formula to make it continue.”

The pub is locked in on its energy bills until January and currently pays around £1,000 a month, but when the fixed rate comes to an end it predicts it will be paying £1,000 a week.

“The cost of electricity is exceedingly high, it is one of our most expensive costs and the fact that it is going to at least quadruple – it is going to cripple us,” Peter said.

The publican has called on the Government to step in to help the hospitality industry by potentially reducing VAT in the sector.

Peter explained: “The ability to make a profit has been eroded. Either we reduce our costs in some way or unfortunately, we may have to lose staff as all the slack has gone.”

The pub also saw a loss of trade when public transport links from Basingstoke to Herriard were shut down.

Peter and Fran are currently exploring other directions that they can take the business in, with ideas ranging from turning the pub into a cookery school, a micropub, or transitioning into catering events.