A Farnham pub that aimed to transform the town’s dining scene has closed its doors less than a year after an ambitious relaunch.

James Bicknell, who took over The Wheatsheaf with his team last October, says financial setbacks and a lack of support forced them to shut down.

Mr Bicknell said: “For the first year we were running at a loss because we were trying to change the style of it around, so we knew we weren’t going to make much money. But our investor changed his tune and decided to pull out.

“The brewery weren’t going to give us any support for the upkeep of the building or the bills, so it kind of forced us out. We couldn’t turn enough profit to pay everyone and keep doing what we were doing.”

The team officially took over the pub in West Street on October 14 last year and opened the doors to customers on November 5. Their vision was to raise the standard of dining out in Farnham, bringing “AA three-rosette quality” dining while preserving the pub’s traditional bar.

When they launched, Mr Bicknell and his experienced team, some of whom had worked alongside Marco Pierre-White and other Michelin-starred chefs, aimed to offer a new dining experience without losing the heart of the pub.

Despite a warm welcome and early interest, the business couldn’t overcome mounting financial pressures.

“It’s not been an easy ride,” Mr Bicknell added.

“We’ve been given a bit of a dog to sort out and then when our investor backed out, we didn’t have much money to do it with.

“The money just wasn’t there to keep running at a loss for the first year – so that’s about it. Our trade never picked up enough and so it went from there.”

“People are sad about it. We’ve got a lot of people saying they’re upset about it online.”

In a social media post, the owners further explained the decision to close.

The statement said: “Over the past months, I have poured every ounce of my passion, dedication, and love into this pub.”

They said they wanted to create “something truly special — a warm, cosy, friendly place where people could come together to enjoy good food, good company, and a sense of community”.

“Despite our efforts and the unwavering support from so many people who believed in us, we faced obstacles that proved insurmountable,” the statement read.

“I personally faced difficult decisions, often under pressure from those meant to be supporting us financially, decisions that fractured friendships and irreparably damaged relationships.

“I am not just heartbroken that this hasn’t worked out; I am furious. Furious that we weren’t given the chance to succeed, and angry at those who chose to walk away when things got tough.”

The news follows the shock closure of The Luxe in Farnham’s Lion and Lamb Yard. The Mediterranean restaurant was shut down by bailiffs last week, after claims the business was breaching its licence.

Greg Stafford, the MP for Farnham and Bordon, has campaigned in the past to save local pubs, saying excessive red tape and government taxes is harming the hospitality industry.

He said: ““The closure of The Wheatsheaf is a real loss for Farnham. The reality under this government is stark: 80 percent of pubs are no longer profitable, and one in four face closure - figures shared by the British Institute of Innkeeping at my hospitality roundtable earlier this year.

“The Chancellor has failed to understand that these were never just abstract statistics. Pubs like The Wheatsheaf are now closing as a direct result. This is neither an accident nor a coincidence.

“I know how much effort the staff put into keeping it going, and I’m devastated to see them become victims of the anti-pub economic climate we now face.

“It’s vital we all do what we can to support our local pubs and restaurants, so they can hold on until this government finally confronts the damage it’s doing.”