One of Britain's oldest pubs has been forced to close its doors after nearly 500 years in business.
The Hole in the Wall in Torquay, Devon, which first opened in 1540, has ceased trading due to increased running costs.
The 485-year-old establishment served its final pints on April 13.
Pub landlord Richard Rossendale-Cook, 81, said rising costs had forced his hand in the decision.
Speaking last month, he told ITV News: "I'm very very sad... Of course, I'd like to carry on."
"But unless somebody comes up - a Russian oligarch or someone will give me £360,000 to go and pay off the bill, you are going to shut and that's the end of it."
Landlord Richard Rossendale-Cook, 81, said rising costs had forced his hand
The brewery-owned pub announced its closure on its Facebook page on March 26.
"It is with great sadness that we announce that the Hole In The Wall will cease trading from the close of Sunday, April 13 2025," the post read.
"We'd like to thank you all for your loyal custom over the years, with many great memories created, to add to the centuries' more storied history here at the Hole."
Rossendale-Cook estimated he had paid the brewery £1.2million in rent and beer costs over the past seven years.
He also said that a fall in the number of people dining at the pub had worsened its finances.
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The Hole in the Wall has lived through centuries of history
THE HOLE IN THE WALL
The Hole in the Wall has lived through centuries of history - including the English Civil War and the Second World War.
Its modern iteration was renowned for featuring live music seven nights a week.
But Rossendale-Cook hopes this will not be the final chapter for the historic establishment - and calls are rising for authorities to step in and save it.
One social media user wrote: "Surely the town council should protect these sorts of things? 500 years, gone. People will stop visiting these places if we allow all the history to be erased."
Calls are rising for authorities to step in and save the Hole in the Wall
THE HOLE IN THE WALL
Another hoped: "Hopefully it gets bought and remains the pub... not knocked down for a Turkish barbers or vape shop."
But its closure comes at a time of crisis for British pubs. Last year, the number of taverns in the country fell to its lowest level in a century.
More than one pub a day closed its doors, leaving just 38,989 establishments nationwide.
Some 412 pubs were demolished or converted into shops or flats over the year to December.
