Britain's oldest pub 'Ye Olde Fighting Cocks' closes as landlord blames Covid

pub dubbed the 'oldest in Britain' has closed down after a staggering 13 centuries of pulling pints.Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire has sadly gone into administration following the "devastating" impact of Covid-19 on the business.Landlord Christo Tofalli announced the heartbreaking news on Friday with a statement on Facebook which has been flooded with over 240 comments and shared 121 times.Pandemic restrictions were the final nail in the pub's coffin according to Christo, who explained they were just about coping with escalating business rates and taxes before Covid hit.

The pub was reportedly established in 793AD, with the building itself dates back to the 11th century, HertsLive reports. Cock fighting took place in the main bar, which gives the pub its name.Christo said: "It is with great sadness that I have to announce that today, after a sustained period of extremely challenging trading conditions, YOFC Ltd has gone into administration."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."He added: "It goes without saying I am heartbroken: this pub has been so much more than just a business to me, and I feel honoured to have played even a small part in its history. "I am even more heartbroken for my incredible team and the wider Fighting Cocks family."As well as thanking his loyal staff and customers, Christo apologised for "letting down" a local brewery supplier which he is now working at."I have a lot to say but now is not the time.