A pub in Barnoldswick has taken the decision to close for one day a week to save costs amid the difficult financial situation.

The owner of The Punch Bowl Earby in Skipton Road has made the decision to close on Mondays until the summer months due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Sharing a post on the pub’s Facebook page on Monday (March 6), he said: “Hi everyone unfortunately we have decided that for the time being it's not viable for us to open on a Monday with the current climate at least until the summer months.

“Sorry for any inconvenience."

The owner of the family-run inn confirmed the reason for the closure is due to energy bills rising and the cost-of-living crisis making it harder for businesses to run, but declined to comment any further.

The number of pub and bar companies calling last orders has risen by more than 200 in a year, new figures from accountancy group UHY Hacker Young suggest.

Insolvencies rose from 280 in 2021 to 512 last year as pubs and bars have faced rising energy and fallings sales.

Pendle Council deputy leader and Earby and Coates Councillor Mike Goulthorp has been contacted for a comment.