A number of popular venues have called last orders for the final time amid difficult times for the industry
The Caledonia pub(Image: Photo by Andrew Teebay)
Pubs are community institutions where people can come together to share a drink and a conversation – but a number of beloved venues have closed their doors recently amid challenging times for the hospitality industry. A combination of the ongoing impact of the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and rising business costs have created a difficult environment for pubs to thrive.
Over the last 12 months, the region has seen a number of venues calling last orders for the final time, including some historic sites that have been serving customers for generations. Among the pubs to have closed their doors are two Georgian Quarter landmarks – The Caledonia and Ye Cracke.
Plans are already in place to transform or re-open some of the pubs that have closed over the last year, whereas the future of others remains unclear. We took a look at seven venues our region has loved and lost over the last 12 months, as well as what we know so far about their future.
The Caledonia
The Caledonia, located on the corner of Caledonia Street and Catharine Street in the Georgian Quarter, closed permanently in March as licensee Laura King said the economic climate had become too difficult to continue operating.
The building that houses the pub first appeared in the Ordnance Survey map of 1890. The pub was named after Caledonia Street, which in turn was named after The Caledonia – one of the first three ships to be commissioned by Cunard, which were launched in 1837 as Post Ships with accommodation, sailing between Liverpool, New York and Boston.
Since it closed its doors, The Caledonia’s ground floor windows have been boarded up. Announcing the pub’s closure in an Instagram post last month, licensee Laura said: “I have made the incredibly difficult decision to close The Caledonia permanently.
The Caledonia pub on Caledonia St in Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
”I have fought hard since the pandemic and particularly over the last 12 months to keep the venue going.
“Despite incredible support and help, and with a huge amount of work having begun to restructure and build great new connections and events, it has become clear that in the current economic climate this current challenge is just one too far for me to fight through.
“I have been at the helm of The Caledonia for almost 15 years. I’ve watched the venue blossom into a true community hub for music and arts in Liverpool. I am privileged to know and am proud of all of you have been a part of that journey.
“We have hosted 1000s of musicians from all over the world, watched talented locals grow and develop professional careers, been home to theatre groups, community groups and clubs, and seen people build friendships and meet future partners.
The Caledonia pub on Caledonia St in Liverpool
“I am very proud of the thousands of hours of free access to music we’ve been able to provide for our community and the employment we were able to create for local grassroots performers.
“I’d like to say thank you to all of you. To our customers, and staff over the years, the performers, everyone who used our space, bought a pint and all the people who have supported me. In the perfect words of one of our supporters, “The Caledonia is not just a pub.
“The cost-of-living crisis is crippling community venues, we are seeing compounding rising costs in utilities, stock, rent, rates and more all of which, and more, are set to rise again in April. That is coupled with a loss of customers because our community is struggling too. We are not the first to go and, without change, we won’t be the last.”
Ye Cracke
Customers called it the “end of an era” when Georgian Quarter pub Ye Cracke closed its doors more than two weeks ago.
The manager of the venue, which has stood on Rice Street since the 19th century, previously told the ECHO that it had been bought by new owners. She said that in the process, six staff members lost their jobs, with their last day being on Sunday, April 27.
It has yet to be confirmed who has bought the pub and what will come next for what is a Liverpool institution. The ECHO understands the pub will remain closed for an undefined period of time before it is reopened by the new team.
Speaking about the pub’s current state on Liverpool Pubs, a popular Facebook group, Geoff Stalford said it was a “sad sight” when he passed it over the weekend.
Ye Cracke Pub on Rice Street(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A host of other regulars chimed in, agreeing. Steve Marler added: “Indeed. Hope it continues as a great pub. Not only for its Beatles history, but just as a great local drinker.” Mark Regan wrote: “Bummer”, whereas Paul Balmforth said: “Sad state of affairs.” Steve Murphy called it a “sign of the times,” and Joanne Campbell labelled it a “tragedy.”
A pub has stood on its site on Rice Street for more than 150 years. Originally called The Ruthin Castle, Ye Cracke came to be in 1862, when the then landlord of the Ruthin Castle extended the premises by buying the cottage next door.
Historian Ken Pye’s book ‘Liverpool Pubs’ reveals that the venue was only nicknamed ‘Ye Cracke’ at that time, perhaps because of the narrow entrance alongside it. The pub is perhaps most famous for being John Lennon’s favourite spot for a beer as an arts student.
Ye Crake’s famous beer garden(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The Beatle’s drink of choice was a black velvet, made from Guinness and sparkling wine. It’s also where he took his first wife, Cynthia Lennon, on their first date after meeting her at a college dance.
As well as Lennon, Ye Cracke can count another celebrity among its fans – Liverpool actor Jodie Comer. In an interview with British Vogue, Jodie lifted the lid on how she would spend 24 hours in Liverpool with her co-stars from one of her recent films, ‘The Bikeriders’, and Ye Cracke got a special mention.
The pub is one of the Georgian Quarter’s most popular. It is loved for its traditional bar areas and wood panelling. Its beer garden also has many fans and is a sun trap in the afternoons.
Among the pub’s side rooms is one called ‘The War Office’, furnished with red leatherette benches, and is the oldest part of the pub. The War Office is a tiny snug where regulars and soldiers returning from the Boer War could meet to discuss military exploits without bothering the rest of the customers.
The Glegg Arms
The Glegg Arms in Heswall has been closed since July(Image: Google)
The Glegg Arms on Chester Road in Heswall operated as a pub since the 1840s. Before its closure, it was part of Whitbread’s Beefeater chain, and served food, with a large beer garden to the rear and a children’s play area.
The pub closed in July 2024 as Whitbread shut a number of Beefeater sites across the country.
A Whitbread spokesperson told the ECHO: “After many years serving the community we can confirm the Glegg Arms is closing its doors (last day of service is July 4). We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their support over the years and our amazing team members.”
The Mons
The famous Mons pub in Bootle was part of Mitchells & Butlers’ Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery chain, but its parent company decided to sell the site. In July last year, the ECHO reported that plans were in place to sell the site to fast-food chain McDonalds, with a deal said to be nearing completion.
When approached at the time, a McDonald’s spokesperson was non-committal, stating that the business is “always on the lookout for suitable locations and are currently exploring a number of opportunities in the wider area.”
However, later in July a McDonald’s spokesperson confirmed any such deal was dead. A spokesperson told the ECHO: “This isn’t a site we are progressing with so any activity there must be a different business.”
The Mons Stonehouse in Bootle(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A £1m property listing, which was posted on September 17, 2024, stated: “Situated at the junction of Breeze Hill and Southport Road in Bootle since 1966, the pub officially closed its doors in June 2024.
“First opening in 1966 as part of the Walker Brewery Chain. A modern pub and restaurant with a carvery menu and outside dining area. Operations are now closed with doors closing in June 2024. The opportunity is to reopen or various redevelopment STP (subject to planning).”
The Mons is now boarded up(Image: Gary Murphy Higgins)
A spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers told the ECHO back in July 2024: “We continuously review our estate to ensure that we’re always obtaining the best returns from each of our assets, and driving innovation across our brands, to enable us to continue to deliver shareholder value. Following an approach, we have taken the decision to sell Mons Bootle. The team have been consulted and we hope to redeploy as many employees as possible to other sites we operate nearby.”
The Merton
The Merton Inn pub on Stanley Road in Bootle changed hands a number of times over the years and was once home to a JD Wetherspoon.
It was sold to a new operator by the pub chain in 2016 when Wetherspoons decided to part with 45 venues across the country for “commercial reasons”.
The Merton Inn.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
It was subsequently taken on by a new publican but closed down in 2024. It is listed as ‘temporarily closed’ on Google. However, recent planning proposals submitted to Sefton Council revealed what the Merton’s owners plan to do with the former pub which has served the community since the 1970s.
The planning application was completed by the company, AK Innovative Design Solution Ltd and approved by Sefton Council on January 23. The owners want to incorporate a hotel on the first and second floors of the building whilst maintaining a pub on the ground floor.
However, the property has been vacant for the last 12 months and is boarded up, with no visible signs of renovation works. During this period, there have been a number of reports of break-ins, vandalism and rampant fly tipping.
The Font
The Font, found on Arrad Street in the city centre near the Metropolitan Cathedral, has been a fixture of student nightlife in the city since it opened in 2001.
It shut its doors for the final time on April 20. In a farewell message posted on social media, the owners thanked customers for their support over the years and asked people to come in for a drink before they close, in order to say goodbye.
They said: “Liverpool, so sad to write this but it’s time for us to say goodbye. After 25 years of serving students and locals it’s just not viable for us anymore.
”And what a 25 years it’s been, filled full of love, laughter, football, quizzes, burgers and cocktails. We’ve made the best friends from staff and customers and this is what we’ll miss the most.
“Thanks to all that worked, drank and partied with us. It’s been a ball and we will remember it forever. Our last day will be Sunday April 20 so please join us over the next few weeks.”
The Font pub in Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Customers and former staff shared their sadness at the news. Andy Murphy said: “I’m absolutely devastated to read this news, love everything about this place, just the best owners and staff, all friendlier beyond words.
“Thank you for all the absolutely brilliant nights, fantastic lunches and most of all the warmest of welcomes.
“The university staff and student population will miss you beyond words. (It) Was, is and always will be my favourite place.”
Adam Maxwell said: “So sorry to hear this! Such wonderful memories here when I was a student.”
CookHouse
Staff at CookHouse pub and kitchen in Widnes announced “with a very heavy heart” that the venue would be calling last orders on Saturday, February 15 after five years in business.
The statement, which was shared on Facebook, said: “The last five years have certainly been challenging, with our initial opening being delayed due to the onset of the pandemic, and the subsequent restrictions and associated debts we encountered when we were finally allowed to open, making for a tough start.
”Unfortunately the ensuing economic landscape, cost of living crisis and not least exorbitant energy price increases have meant that we’ve never really had a real chance to consistently show the business as its glorious best – so for the benefit of our other pubs and for the staff in Widnes, now is the time to bow out.
”On a positive note, the pub itself will only be closed for a short period of time as it undergoes a further makeover, but will reopen with a different concept and operator, who will retain the current team and who we wish every success.
“From our point of view we will be open for the next two weeks and will be handing out community cards across the bar to any customers who would like one, offering 20% off drinks at all times. Our chefs are also still working every day, with all menus and food offers still available, so call in and make the most of the time we have left.
“Finally, and most importantly, we are extremely grateful for all the support and the loyalty we have received from a significant number of regular customers and staff members which has made our decision even more difficult to make – thank you all, and if you enjoy what we do, then we can not wait to see you all again at one of our CookHouse pubs in Halewood, Rainhill or if you’re further afield, Prestatyn. Thank you Widnes.”
Customers took to the comments to share their sadness at the news of the closure of the Liverpool Road venue. Andrew Attwood said: “Well done to CookHouse for giving the old Albion a new lease of life. As good as the refit was it was always and will always be the staff that make a pub what it is, in particular Jon and Ashley and more recently Dylan.
“Best wishes to the CookHouse with their other ventures and let’s hope the Albion when it reopens can thrive and serve the community. That said it’s up to the community to use it or we’ll lose it.”
Wendy Perry said: “Gutted you’re leaving, will miss our Thursday night tea and glass of wine (or two)”, and Nick Crane said: “We don’t go in often but when we do the service, staff and food is great thank you. Good luck to the staff if they don’t stay on.”