A historic pub in north-west London, after which a Tube station and the nearby area were named, has shut its doors, ending nearly two centuries of service.
Advocates are hoping to rescue Ye Olde Swiss Cottage following its closure by Samuel Smith’s Brewery on Saturday.
The brewery has yet to reply to inquiries from BBC London regarding the pub’s future.
Joanne Scott, representing the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), expressed that the pub’s closure represents a “significant loss for both the local community and London as a whole.”
The Swiss Cottage Tube station, alongside the surrounding locality, derives its name from the pub, which has occupied the site since the 1830s.
Although the reasons for its Swiss chalet-style architecture remain unclear, it has become a treasured local symbol.
The establishment is neither listed nor recognized as an asset of community value, potentially complicating efforts to preserve it.
Scott remarked, “This pub has been a fixture here for 200 years, and with so few pubs in the area, it’s crucial to maintain it as a tavern.”
On its final operating day, local patrons lamented the pub’s demise.
One customer told BBC London, “You choose a pub for its unique ambiance—many are starting to feel indistinguishable from one another.”
Another remarked, “It’s one of those landmarks you’ve always recognized upon arriving in London.”
According to a London Assembly pub audit, more pubs shut down in the capital in the first half of 2024 than in any other part of England.
“Pubs serve as the backbone of communities across the country,” stated Thomas J. Vosper, an author and expert on pubs.
“They often function as a communal hub,” he continued.
“They’re venues for celebrating birthdays, cheering for sports teams, or seeking solace and deep conversations with friends during tough moments.”
The future of the Ye Olde Swiss Cottage site remains uncertain.
