Britain’s oldest pub has succumbed to Covid-19. The Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, located in St Albans in north London, have announced that they are closing down after several difficult years, reports CNN Travel.
The pub manager confirmed the information on Facebook on Friday. “It goes without saying, my heart is broken,” wrote Christo Tofalli, mentioning the “very harsh” conditions before the pandemic and the “devastating” effects of Covid-19 on the business of the place. “This pub has been so much more than a business to me, and I’m honored to have played even a small part in its history. »
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According to the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks website, the pub is said to have existed since the year 793. Built in the 11th century, the main building was originally a dovecote. The pub takes its name from the cockfights that were held there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, says CNN.
Reputedly the oldest pub in the UK, the establishment however lost the official title of the Guinness Book in 2000. “This record was canceled when it appeared that it was impossible to verify it completely”, confirmed a door- Guinness World Records word.
Unfortunately, the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks has the same fate as many English pubs. The industry was struggling even before the pandemic, with revelers instead turning to bars or restaurants for a drink. Between 2008 and 2018, more than 11,000 pubs (a quarter of establishments) closed, according to official British statistics.