Community Pubs Across UK, Australia Face Closure Amid Campaigns

Several beloved pubs across the UK and Australia are facing closure despite community efforts and historic significance. Scarborough's Cask Inn will shut down after attempts at community ownership failed, with new owners planning different uses for the building. In Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the Grainger Tavern, a hub for football fans, has closed just months after reopening, disappointing locals who relied on it for major sporting events. Accrington's Hare & Hounds pub is set to close due to ongoing financial difficulties despite local campaigns and a brief reprieve for VE Day celebrations, with its owner citing broader economic challenges. In Melbourne, the Kingston Hotel, which has operated since 1854 and played a significant role in the city's social and cultural life, faces potential closure after entering administration following costly renovations and financial pressures. Administrators are seeking a buyer for the Kingston Hotel, while the De Fraga family, owners of the venue, have already sold two other local pubs.