An Abergynolwyn family have made the “heart-wrenching” decision to leave the pub they live and work in, saying coronavirus regulations have left them with no choice.

Gavin and Alison Gregory of the Railway Inn have lost their jobs and their home following the decision to leave, but social distancing means they can’t make ends meet.

Speaking to the Cambrian News, Gavin said the pub was the heart of the village, but they couldn’t earn enough to cover the rent.

“If we owned the pub ourselves we may have been able to reopen but with rent so high we can’t cover costs,” he said. “We have to leave because social distancing means we could only have about five or six tables inside, less than half our normal number.”

Their five-year-old daughter goes to school locally so they’re keen to stay in the area, but the future looks uncertain for Gavin, 43, and Alison, 33, who supported the village during lockdown, offering a meals on wheels service and delivering it in the community electric car.

Announcing their decision on Facebook, Gavin said: “Since lockdown hit us we have tried our best to fight to keep the Railway Inn open. It’s had a huge financial impact on our business.

“We were hoping to have a lot more support off the brewery but they are only willing to support all their pubs in the same way so we will get the same support as a pub in Liverpool city centre and that is no help as we are a very small pub in a very unique little place and we need more support.

“Due to this we have made the heart-wrenching decision to hand our notice in and leave.

“This has been one of the hardest choices me and Ali have had to make since we came to run the pub five years ago. We made it our home and put 100 per cent into it.

“We have tried our best to keep our little village pub open.”

He added: “I’ve lived in the area for over 30 years, my wife over 20. We are not sure of our next move yet and also need to find ourselves a home around this area. We thank all of our customers for their support over the last few years and we hope you have enjoyed us being here as much as we’ve enjoyed it.”

Gavin told the Cambrian News of the issues they faced: “Most of the village is made up by the older generation and they don’t want to go out during a pandemic which is totally understandable and we need to protect them.”

Brewery Stonegate has been asked to comment.