PUB landlords have walked away from their dream after ‘the worst 12 months of trading’.

Kate Stacey and Stephen Wright took over the Red Lion in Holt Heath last October and poured £50,000 into refurbishing the pub.

However, yesterday they announced ‘with great sadness’ that they will be giving up the lease and ‘moving on.’

In a Facebook post, Kate wrote: “There are many reasons and I’m sure the rumour mill is doing its rounds but the customers that visited us and took the time to get to know us will know exactly what we have been through and how things have not been plain sailing by any stretch of the imagination.

“Thank you to our customers who became friends and who genuinely wanted us to succeed.”

The landlord did not wish to comment further. However in a previous interview about the refurbishment, she said: “I used to pass this pub all the time growing up.

“Ever since I was a kid I had known about this place as my family would drive past it all the time.

“I kept saying that pub is going to be mine someday, and now it is. It was a Caribbean restaurant before we took it over.

“It had an identity crisis. It was very colourful – it had bright yellow, red, orange and blue walls.

“There was no trade here. Stephen and I wanted to bring that community feel back.

“We wanted to start from scratch and give the locals a place to go. It should be a traditional English boozer.”

2020, however, had different plans for the Red Lion, much to the dismay of Kate and Stephen.

Back in January they had to close after three fights, reportedly all involving the same family, broke out there during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Pub had to shut after 3 new year's eve fights involving same family

Following the incident, landlady Kate said: “Stephen and I would just like to apologise to our guests for the three fights that broke out this evening, just after new year’s. The family involved has been dealt with by the police and an ambulance crew.

“This is not how we wanted our first New Year’s Eve celebration to end. We are in a state of shock over what has happened and due to the state of my pub and injuries sustained to Stephen, Sarah and myself, the pub will remain closed on January 1, 2020.

“I hope you are all okay, and again we are sorry you were involved in this.”

One victim had to be taken to hospital after suffering injuries described as serious.

Three months later, the pub was closed again, this time due to the national lockdown which forced all pubs to cease trading on March 16.

The Worcester News understands the Red Lion has been closed since that date, not re-opening after the first lockdown, and now with a second lockdown incoming, will be shut for good.