The Queen O’ T’Owd Thatch in South Milford has closed

The closure of the award-winning Queen O’ T’owd Thatch in South Milford, between Leeds and Selby, was announced yesterday (Thursday) on social media.

The statement said the closure was with ‘a heavy heart’ but added there were many factors behind it.

It explained: “Running a pub takes a huge amount of time, effort and commitment, and it also relies on having the right support around it.

RECOMMENDED READING:

“We have done our very best to keep the doors open and to provide somewhere for people to come together and enjoy. However, over recent months, the challenges have unfortunately become too much to continue as things stand.

“We have been trying since February to employ a new management couple or a chef but the industry is on a decline, we have been unsuccessful due both management couples & chefs are leaving the industry to do other jobs. High overheads are also adding to the hospitality industry decline.”

The statement thanked those who had supported the pub, calling it “incredibly sad” to close the pub until a “suitable tenant can be found.”

The closure, which began today, comes despite the pub earning good reviews on social media.

Google awards the venue 4.9 stars out of five based on 31 reviews.

Tripadvisor awards 4.1 stars out of five based on 56 reviews, ranking it 488th out of 1,979 restaurants in Leeds.

However, the Press has reported the gastropub has previously faced challenges due to higher rents and other costs leading former managers to leave the pub in 2023.

Last month, the pub commented on Facebook that business seemed quitter than usual, which might have been due to the holidays, or festivals.

The post continued: “Well, pubs don’t stay open on good memories and Facebook likes. They stay open because folk walk through t’door, have a pint and put the world to rights and keep the lights on.

“Your local isn’t just somewhere that sells beer. It’s where birthdays are celebrated, friendships are made, darts are argued over, politics get serious, and someone always knows someone who knows your dad!

“So instead of saying, “We really should go,” just go!!

“One pint. One visit. It all helps.

“Because once your local’s gone, all that’s left is everyone saying, “It were a cracking pub, that.”

It added: “We’re open to any suggestions of things you’d like to see other than what we already offer!”