Aylesbury Vale pub which first opened as public house in 1863 announces closure
An Aylesbury Vale pub based in a Grade II listed building, which first opened as a public house in 1863, has announced its closure due to the ‘challenging operating environment for hospitality.’
The Bow, located on the High Street in Waddesdon, posted on its Facebook page earlier today (Thursday) that the pub would close its doors from Saturday September 12, with Friday 11 its last day of operations.
The pub explained in its post that the Rothschild Foundation had taken the decision to focus on the operation of the Five Arrows Hotel, its older sister establishment, also located in the village’s High Street.
A spokesperson for The Bow told The Bucks Herald: “The closure affects one permanent member of staff and a small number of hourly paid staff.
"Our paramount concern is our staff, and we are working closely with them to make this process as smooth and supportive as possible.”
In its Facebook post The Bow added: “We would like to thank everyone in Waddesdon and beyond who has supported The Bow, whether as customers, neighbours, suppliers or friends.
“We are enormously grateful for your custom and support.”
The pub was known as The Bell during the 19th century, and later The Long Dog, before being renamed as The Bow in tribute to The Five Arrows Hotel.
Before opening as a public house in the 1860s, the building housed the bell room for the adjacent 800-year-old St Michael’s and All Angels Church.