A PUB in the Herefordshire countryside is shutting its door for two months to get through a "tricky winter".

The Live and Let Live pub on Bringsty Common, near Bromyard on the A44, said it would be shut from January 2 until March 3.

The pub said it was for its "winter break", but in previous years it had only lasted between two and four weeks.

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The pub's future has looked bleak since a planning application for three new houses on the site had been turned down by Herefordshire Council.

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The pub said: "May we take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you that has supported us in 2022 and we wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.

"Let's all get through this tricky winter and look forward to better days ahead."

Sue Dovey has owned the pub since 2001. Picture: Rob Davies

Sue Dovey has owned the pub since 2001. Picture: Rob Davies

It added: "Bookings for after that date are still being taken during our closed period so hopefully we will see you all again from March."

Susan Dovey, of the grade II-listed pub, put forward a proposal for three new houses to be built on vacant land south of the pub, but this bid was refused.

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The application said three houses was the "minimum level required to help the pub to remain open and operational”.

“The pub has struggled significantly with multiple lock-downs and severe reductions in customers,” it said.

“The capital return from the proposed development will help to boost the financial viability of the pub and protect its longer-term future.”

Among the reasons for the application to be refused, planning officer Josh Bailey said the homes would "not reflect the character or appearance of the area” and would “harm the setting, significance and experience” of the pub.