"Rising costs" have been blamed for the sudden closure of an Isle of Wight pub, as the outgoing landlord issues a stark warning for future tenants.

Just three months on from a 'use us or lose us' plea, Jake Rigby has stepped aside as landlord of the The Sun Inn, Calbourne.

Despite admitting he "really loves the place", Jake said the pub, on Sun Hill, was running a deficit and "you have to know when to throw in the towel".

He told the County Press it was a struggle to keep the pub's outgoings less than £4,200 a week and "in this climate, it has not hit those numbers once this year."

Jake said a number of factors contributed to this, most notably rising costs of ingredients, alcohol through the brewery, bills, music licence, council tax, rent, water and electric.

Read more: 

He said "without major redevelopment and a good injection of money", he does not see the pub being viable any time soon.

"It's a shame as myself and the locals really really love the place", he said.

Jake took over the running of the pub in May last year, leasing it from the Stonegate Group.

During his tenure, he brought back a number of events including charity quiz nights, live pro wrestling and even a Harry Potter-themed night.

He succeeded Kate Goldson and David Whittaker, who retired after 17 years at the helm.