A VILLAGE pub is set to close for good as its owners seek planning permission to turn it into a house.
John Guttridge, 66, and his wife, Lilian, bought the Rivers Arms pub in Cheselbourne 16 years ago after Mr Guttridge left the Merchant Navy.
But a low level of custom means the couple are seeking to sell it as a dwelling.
The pub was valued at £350,000 last year.
Mr Guttridge said: "I just wanted a village pub where people could come and enjoy a drink and socialise - like village pubs used to be.
"The people who use the pub are very nice, but there are not enough of them.
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"I don't get any villagers in from Monday to Friday night unless there is a darts match. Only the older villagers use it and with all the rising costs now I can't afford to heat and light it over the winter."
The Rivers Arms was originally a drovers' pub. It is located in Drakes Lane on the southern edge of Cheselbourne away from the village centre.
Over the last year around 20 potential buyers have viewed the property.
Mr Guttridge added: "It's still for sale as a pub at the moment but I can't get any takers. I put it on at a reasonable price."
A letter written to West Dorset District Council on the Guttridge's behalf said the pub was not viable.
It said: "Over the years the need for the drovers' facility obviously diminished and now, as with many other pubs, it suffers through lack of custom and a poor location.
"Many years of trading losses have resulted in little if no investment in the building.
"The pub has received little support over the years from the village community, as evidenced by the pub not being recognised as an important facility to retain in the Cheselbourne Village Plan.
"The pub is not located on any recognised tourist walk or drive."
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