The Purefoy Arms to close later this month

The Purefoy Arms, a two-AA-rosette gastropub in Hampshire, will close at the end of the month after five and a half years of trading.

News of the closure follows that of Tony Rodd's Copper & Ink in Blackheath, London, Simon Rimmer's Greens in Didsbury, Manchester, and James Allcock's Pig & Whistle in Beverley, Yorkshire, in a bleak start to January.

Chef patron Gordon Stott, who won an Acord Award in 2017, stated the Purefoy Arms will permanently shut its doors on 27 January due to "unexpected happenings".

Stott trained at Tante Marie Culinary Academy and cut his teeth in the industry at the Carnarvon Arms near Newbury and the Vineyard at Stockcross.

He opened the Purefoy Arms in 2018, following his role as head chef of the Sun Inn in Hampshire.

He posted on X: "This is a very difficult message for us to be writing but we are so thankful for all your support over the years and have loved every minute.

"We really hope you understand and thoroughly apologise for any inconvenience caused."

The Purefoy Arms said it will be in contact with any customers who have made reservations beyond 27 January.

The original building dates back to the 1860s.