Britain’s oldest pub calls time after more than 1,000 years due to Covid
BRITAIN’S oldest pub has called time after more than 1,000 years — due to the Covid pandemic.
Ale was first served at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in 793 but sadly the popular boozer has been unable to withstand the struggles of the past two years.
The pub in St Albans, Herts, has survived wars, plagues and previous economic crises.
But landlord Christo Tofalli said he was walking away because the pandemic had been “devastating”.
He added: “I have tried everything to keep this pub going.
“However, the past two years have defeated all of us who have been trying our hardest to ensure the pub could continue.
“It goes without saying I am heartbroken.
"This pub has been so much more than just a business to me.”
Mr Tofalli’s firm has been placed into administration.
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"The past two years have been unprecedented for the hospitality industry," he said.
"It's defeated all of us who have been trying our hardest to ensure this multi-award-winning pub could continue trading into the future," he said.
The much-loved landlord, who has run the venue for a decade, has been inundated with messages of support from around the world since his company went into administration.
He said: "I've never seen anything like it.
"With all the messages I have had, it speaks for itself what we achieved.
"To be reading about the impact we've had on people is mind-boggling and extremely humbling.
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"We became an important part of the community... the family we created was huge.
"The time has come for me but we will make sure the handover is seamless and the synergy keeps going.”
The owner of the building, Mitchells and Butlers, has said it will try to find a way to reopen in the future.
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Mr Tofalli said there was an "120 per cent" chance the pub will welcome customers again in the future.
"I'm working very hard with administrations to make sure that it opens as soon as possible for the customers," he added.
"It is more important to get the pub wrapped up properly and sensibly and make the least impact to it as possible."
The pub is recognised by Guinness World Records as Britain’s oldest, although others also make the claim.
Pubs and bars were among the thousands of non-essential businesses told to shut down during the UK's tough lockdowns.
In March 2020, there were 38,870 pubs and bars across the country employing 467,000 people.
At a peak during the November 2020 lockdown, 91 per cent of pub and bar staff were on furlough.
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Boozers finally reopened their gardens in April 2021.
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In December, Omicron forced the closure of many hospitality venues as customers stayed away and staff were forced off sick.
And now businesses now face a tough new challenge due to the cost of living crisis, with prices set to rocket by up to 11 per cent.
