Sadness as pub calls time on its business

A last evening at the Bell Hotel was held by manager Rik Cowlard to say goodbye to regulars and staff before the premises were vacated this week.

Owner Ashwan Jeeawon (pictured), who bought the leasehold in May 2006 with high hopes for the pub’s future, said he was too disappointed to attend the event himself.

He blamed the closure on the economic climate but also high cost of rent and beer - and said his money simply ran out.

Ashwan told the Observer he tried every way to keep the Bell Hotel going and even raised £160,000 to pay for it on his own personal mortgage.

He said: “We have got no more money left – I have exhausted every loan and credit card. I have given it back to Enterprise Inns but I am left with the next 20 years of paying for something I no longer have.”

Ashwan, who is 32 and also a bank manager, said: “There has been no way forward. We have tried to explore every avenue... we carried on in the hope it would improve, but it has come to where we couldn’t afford to hang on any more because there is no money.”

He and Rik both expressed disappointment at the failure of the venture and thanked all their customers for their support during past five years.

A regular said of the closure: “I think the loss of The Bell is a great shame and will have a huge impact on that part of town.

“Old-style pubs are very few and far between now and there’s not a great choice in Bexhill anyway.

“On a Sunday night it was a real draw for people who wanted to go along for the karaoke. Its loss will definitely be felt. There was a real mix of young and old.

Vicky Averis of Enterprise Inns, which is the freeholder, said the company was fully aware of the history of the Bell Hotel, which dates back to the 17th century, and it’s intention was “to fully utilise the features and amenities of the building to create a show piece in the heart of the old town community”.

She was not prepared to discuss reasons behind the present closure but said it was “important” to understand Enterprise is “committed to the long-erm future of the Bell”.

She added: “We will be liaising with Old Town Preservation Society to discuss our future plans for the site, but our intention is to create a traditional business which we hope all local residents will support and consider a benefit to their community.”