A pub landlord facing an £8000-a-year rent rise fears people may have to pay more for a pint to keep their village pubs open.

This week the Cornish Times has learnt that Nobby Clarke, who runs the Butcher's Arms at St Ive, will also be hit with a six per cent rise in beer prices.

The pub, owned by Enterprise Inns, has been run by Mr Clarke, pictured, and his wife Angie for three years and now they have been told from June his rent will go up from £26,500 a year to £34,450, around a third more.

'You have no choice but to put up prices, because the amount of business there is isn't covering rent at the moment and we are the only pub in four villages,' said Mr Clarke,

'Enterprise Inns were helpful when we first moved here, helping us build the play area and put in new flooring, but now times are hard.'

Mr Clarke could buy a keg of beer for around £40 less than he does, by using a cash and carry. However, he can't do that because of the Enterpise Inns beer tie, which means pubs owned by the company have to buy their stocks from them.

'We are not making a profit, I have not made a wage in the last two years because of rent and beer prices,' he said.

'You are never going to get rent-free and I wouldn't expect that – but they need to get rid of the beer tie or make it cheaper.'

Mr Clarke has already made complaints to the head office about the £150 a week increase, but has had no luck and is still waiting for a reply.

'We have tried to get hold of our business manager but we can't get hold of him,' added Mr Clarke.

The father of two says more needs to be done to help out publicans in tough trading times.

'There are pubs down here in trouble and people are getting fed up with it, we need to come together and do something as a collective.

'The village has already lost the shop, petrol station and post office, is the pub the next thing to go?'

At the end of January the Cornish Times reported on the pub landlord of The Bullers Arms, Landrake, also owned by Enterprise Inns, who managed to get money back after he was charged too much for rent by the company.

Enterprise Inns did not make a comment regarding the latest problem.