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Locals shocked by village pub's sudden closure

Sian Filcher
BBC News, Derby
BBC External shot of the Abbey pub in Darley AbbeyBBC
The pub in Darley Abbey dates back to the 15th Century

A pub in Derby has abruptly closed with a handwritten note placed on the door saying the brewery owner was unhappy about photos of it being shared online.

The Abbey, in Darley Abbey, dates back to the 15th Century and is one of the last surviving buildings from an extensive monastery.

Multiple sources told the BBC the current landlords were informed by Samuel Smith's Brewery, which owns the pub, they had broken policies and were dismissed with immediate effect.

The brewery has refused to comment on the closure.

A photo of a sign stuck outside the Abbey pub in Darley Abbey, reading: "Closed due to someone posting pictures of the Abbey on social media. Sam Smith has taken the alcohol and closed these premises."
A sign stuck outside the pub says it closed due to images being posted online

Samuel Smith's operates about 200 pubs across the UK and is famous for its strict rules laid down by owner Humphrey Smith.

These include a no-swearing policy, no televisions or jukeboxes and a ban on the use of mobile phones or laptops in its public houses.

The Abbey's closure comes after another pub owned by the brewery in Bradford shut unexpectedly in September 2024.

The brewery also shut down another historic pub in north-west London in February.

Martin Repton, a councillor at Derby City Council, posted on Facebook: "All the brewery have said so far is that the managers did not follow company policies, which the couple deny emphatically.

"We're all really sad and sorry for the landlords, who have now lost their home and livelihood."

External photo of the Abbey pub in Darley Abbey.
Signage that was previously outside the pub appears to have been taken down

The Abbey had been closed for five years before re-opening in September 2024.

Repton, who was part of the campaign to get it reopened, told the BBC the fresh closure had come as a shock to the local community.

"I went in for a quick pint on Tuesday and everything seemed to be OK, although I know that the landlords have come under a certain amount of pressure in recent months," he said.

"I was rung and told the pub was to close immediately.

"People are absolutely appalled and shocked by the immediate closure.

"We were starting to build up the trade again. It's a good pub with great atmosphere, in the village centre.

"It's an important and integral part of the village and village life."

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