From www.thisiskent.com Thursday 6th September,2012. By Lowri Stafford.

CALLING TIME: Sean Baker at his pub, The Farmhouse.

LOUNGE on the Farm boss Sean Baker and his business partner Victoria Hazell say they have been forced to call time on their pub The Farmhouse after falling behind with the rent.

The pub shut without warning on Tuesday – four years to the day after it had opened.

Mr Baker claimed landlords Enterprise Inns had effectively pulled the plug by sending in bailiffs at 4pm on the Saturday. He said staff were given two hours to raise £7,000 or risk losing the contents of the pub.

Enterprise Inns refused to comment this week, except to insist it was not to blame for the closure.

Farmhouse bosses launched a bitter attack on their landlords using Facebook. Mr Baker said: "It was not the first summer we had fallen behind on the rent. Summer is always our quietest period. But we were given an ultimatum to pay the money or they would send in the bailiffs. We simply didn't have the money. If we had, we would have paid it."

Victoria Hazell, who had been away from the Dover Street premises when the bailiffs called, managed to raise £2,215. But on Tuesday, the pair threw in the towel and closed the pub.

Mr Baker added: "We had spent the past year watching the chaos of building new accommodation for Canterbury Christ Church University students nearby, thinking of the difference it could make to our business. Then we were effectively forced to shut our doors two days before the opening. This feels like a massive kick in the teeth for all of us."

But he vowed: "This won't be the end for us. We are already looking for a new home. Once we have tied up outstanding issues with Enterprise Inns we will be back bigger, brighter and better than ever – and a lot wiser."

He added: "We would like to thank our customers, suppliers and performers who made the Farmhouse what it was and our staff for showing immense loyalty to the business and each other."

He stressed that the closure of the Farmhouse will not have any effect on Canterbury music festival Lounge on the Farm.

He added: "When we opened the doors it was with a vision of incorporating as much of the local scene as possible, from the drinks and food to the music and customers.

"We didn't do cheap deals on booze. We didn't encourage antisocial behaviour. We wanted people to enjoy a different night out where music and food were the focus of the entertainment, not the bar.

"We knew when we took a lease we would not always have an easy ride. However, we believed we could weather the storm of the recession."

Vicky Averis of Enterprise Inns said: "We do not discuss the private and confidential business matters between the company and our publicans, but it was not our decision to close the pub."

The pub became known for its local food, laid-back atmosphere and eclectic live music schedule. Its circular stage hosted the likes of Mumford and Sons, the Two Door Cinema Club and the Subways plus a range of local talent.

Tonight's Funny Farm comedy night with El Baldiniho has been cancelled.