‘That’s a shame’ cry punters as ‘lovely pub’ to shut its doors for good in weeks
A MUCH-loved family pub is set to close its doors for good in weeks, leaving locals and regulars heartbroken.
The Thatched House, in Wakefield, announced its closure in an emotional Facebook post yesterday.
Wakefield Thatched House pub has announced its closurefacebook
The family-friendly pub and eatery is set to close by the end of this monthfacebook
The pub, which has been a staple for families and foodies alike, will serve its final pints on Thursday, 20 March.
The Farrar Family, who run the pub, shared the sad news with their loyal customers in a heartfelt Facebook post yesterday.
They wrote: “We are formally announcing the closure of the pub. The pub will close its doors on Thursday 20th March.
“We will open back up on the Sunday for the car boot, then the pub will close its doors permanently.”
They added: “From the information we have been given from the brewery, the land will most likely be going up for sale.”
The Thatched House has been a favourite among locals, boasting glowing 5-star reviews from punters who praised its “unreal” food and “top-notch” service.
The pub’s website describes it as a “family-friendly eatery” that “strives to bring amazing quality food at an affordable price.”
Despite the closure, the Farrar Family remained positive, saying they are “heading for sunny horizons” and thanked their customers for their support.
“We have loved our time in the pub and meeting all the lovely regulars.
We have made some lifelong friends and look forward to spending our last few weeks with our regulars,” they wrote.
However, they admitted the decision to close was due to the pub needing significant work to function properly.
They explained: “The pub needs so much work doing to it for it to function 100%”.
The announcement sparked an outpouring of sadness from locals, with one commenting: “What a shame, it was a lovely pub. All the best.”
Another wrote: “Another pub gone.”
While a third added: “This is so sad.”
The closure of The Thatched House is part of a worrying trend across the UK, with hundreds of pubs shutting their doors for good in recent years.
According to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), around six pubs close every week, resulting in thousands of job losses.
In 2024 alone, 289 pubs across England and Wales pulled their last pints, with London being the hardest-hit area, losing 34 venues.
The latest figures show the number of pubs in England and Wales has plummeted from 47,613 in 2019 to 45,345 in 2024 – a drop of 2,268.
Why are pubs closing?
The pub industry is facing mounting pressures, including soaring energy bills, rising costs, and squeezed household budgets.
The BBPA has warned that more closures could be on the horizon due to upcoming hikes in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage.
The trade body estimates that the cumulative impact of the Autumn Budget will create an extra £650 million in costs for the sector.
Many pubs are also bracing for a planned reduction in the business rates discount for hospitality, leisure, and retail firms, which will drop from 75% to 40%.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade.
Consumer demand is there, however, profits are being wiped out with sky-high bills and pubs are facing yet more rates and costs come April.”
She added: “We’re right behind Labour’s mission to supercharge growth and can deliver this economic boost across the UK, but only if it is easier for pubs to keep their doors open.”
The Thatched House is just one of many historic and beloved pubs to close in recent months.
Earlier this year, The Ye Olde Swiss Cottage in north-west London and The Abbot’s Fireside near Canterbury, which had been in business since the reign of Henry VIII, both shut their doors for good.
A map built by The Sun reveals the locations hit hardest by pub closures in 2024, highlighting the growing crisis in the industry.
As The Thatched House prepares to serve its final orders, locals are left to mourn the loss of yet another community hub.
For now, the Farrar Family and their team are focusing on making the most of their final weeks, thanking customers for their support and memories made over the years.
“Thank you to everyone that visited during the time we were open,” they wrote.
“We wish you all an amazing year and thank you for your continued support until we close the doors.”
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
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