England's 'oldest' pub that has been serving alcohol for 1,200 years forced to close because of COVID-19

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans.

REUTERS/Paul Childs

• Ye Olde Fighting Cocks has been open since 793 AD  and has been forced to close its doors. 
• The owner has said he is "heartbroken" that the pub couldn't survive the pandemic.
• The pub is currently for sale to new ownership.

The oldest pub in England has been forced to close its doors after the licensees firm went into administration, "defeated" by the financial challenges of COVID-19. 

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire, South of London, has been open since 793. 

The pub's manager, Christo Tofalli, announced the closure of the ancient inn on Facebook: "Along with my team, I have tried everything to keep the pub going. However, the past two years have been unprecedented for the hospitality industry, and have defeated all of us who have been trying our hardest to ensure this multi-award-winning pub could continue trading into the future." 

 

In England, hospitality has taken a hard hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the country is famous for its pubs — and love of them — the pandemic saw the British pub industry losing £5.7 billion ($7.7 billion) in 2021, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. 

Having been open for more than 1,200 years, the pub has so far survived the Black Death plague, two world wars, multiple civil wars, and the 2009 financial crash. But not COVID-19.

Christo Tofalli, who ran Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Herts, said the move came after "challenging" trading conditions due to COVID-19.

He told the BBC he was "heartbroken" and had "tried everything" to keep open the pub.

A print of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks from 1936 (left) and an image from 1932 (right).

The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Image, National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

 The Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, is England's oldest pub' according to Guinness World Records, though others also claim the title.

The hope is that the pub will reopen under new management, with Tofalli stating on Facebook that the "phones are ringing" with interest. 

"We are all looking for the best way forward for the pub, but it will reopen with new owners, and I hope they will keep a bit of the soul and spirit going," he told the BBC.

The pub is listed for sale by JPS Chartered Surveyors. 

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