CLAPHAM'S Goat Gap Inn is set to close because it cannot attract staff.

The shortage of workers has now forced landlord Duncan Robb-Cummings to submit plans to convert the pub into houses.

Mr Robb-Cummings, who runs the Goat Gap with his wife Jennet, says the staffing problem has plagued the pub for years.

"The application is nothing to do with the foot and mouth. It's basically down to the fact we just cannot get staff," he told the Herald this week.

"We spend thousands of pounds every year advertising for staff to no avail."

He added that it was a profitable business and he would keep it open as a pub if he could get the staff.

"It's proved very profitable for us, but we're having to do about 100 hours a week and we just cannot carry on with it.

"The last day off my wife had was back in January last year - that's nearly 600 days ago.

"It's a common thing in the catering industry - there's a national shortfall of 37,000 chefs. With us being where we are it's difficult for people to travel here. We've been trying desperately for about two years.

"We've advertised at Skipton Job Centre and in four years we've never had an application."

Mr Robb-Cummings said some four months ago the couple had run a radio advertising campaign for staff which was broadcast up to a maximum of eight times a day for a month but without a single response.

He had also advertised with almost all the local newspapers.

Recently, a brewery showed interest in the pub, but due to its size, the fact it has accommodation, a caravan site and separate bungalow they decided it was too large to manage.

Mr Robb-Cummings added that thankfully the Goat Gap was not a vital village amenity and a lot of his trade came from people travelling on the A65.

In fact, the nearest neighbour is a goat farm about half a mile away and the nearest village is Newby.

"It's not like a village amenity as people don't come due to drinking and driving," he said. Most of our trade comes from businessmen.

"It'll be the saddest day of my life letting this pub go, but there's nothing I can do about it."

The planning application seeks permission to internally divide the pub into three, three- bedroom properties with ancillary garages.

It is likely to be discussed at the November meeting of Craven District Council's planning committee.