Samuel Smith Brewery Closes 900-Year-Old Abbey Pub Over Photo Policy Breach

The Abbey pub in Darley Abbey, Derbyshire, a historic establishment dating back to the 15th century, has been abruptly closed again less than a year after reopening. The closure was reportedly due to a breach of the brewery's strict no-photos policy, with a notice on the door stating it was shut because of social media posts featuring pictures of the pub. The pub, owned by Samuel Smith's Brewery and known for its rigid rules including no mobile phones, laptops, or swearing, had only reopened in September following a four-year campaign and a petition with thousands of signatures. A popular Facebook page, The Great British Pub Crawl, posted photos of the pub shortly before its closure but denied responsibility for causing it, stating they had permission from the tenants. The brewery's owner, Humphrey Smith, is known for enforcing strict policies and has closed other pubs suddenly in the past. Local councillor Martin Repton, a key figure in the campaign to reopen The Abbey, expressed disappointment over the sudden closure, highlighting the impact on the tenants' livelihoods.