One of Irvine’s most iconic pubs has suddenly closed down.
The Crown Inn has been boarded up after closing on High Street last week.
The historic watering hole has been a fixture in the town since the 1800s.
Punters have been left miffed after the boozer shut up shop out of the blue and has since been boarded up with signs ordering people to stay out.
The bar’s Facebook page hasn’t posted since Sunday, April 16 – and bosses behind the pub haven’t spoken out publicly about the closure.
One local said: “It’s a real shame to see the Crown boarded up as it’s been a fixture in the town for many years.
“Times are tough for pubs and punters so while this is a shock, it’s not the biggest surprise, sadly.”
The closure comes during a testing time for the hospitality industry and high street retailers.
The cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy prices have squeezed many businesses in the town and the surrounding area.
Halfords pulled the plug on their East Road outlet in February after having to terminate its lease.
Black Rooster shut down its Rivergate Shopping Centre restaurant and popular Harbourside eaterie Nancy’s pulled down the shutters for the final time at the end of 2022.
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