The landlord of a popular village pub says he has lost 50% of his takings as passing trade plummeted during a road closure for gas works. Jason Tharp, who runs the George Inn, in Leeds, near Maidstone, says custom has dropped in the month since the B2163 shut for repairs by gas suppliers. Mr Tharp, 56, experienced a massive blow last year when the back road, which connects the A274 and the A20, was shut for more than two months while South East Water laid new pipes. The current work, being carried out by a contractor on behalf of gas business SGN, is due to finish today (February 6). Sitting i…