'Best real ale in the republic of Luton': Sadness as Black Horse pub announces closure

There was sadness after one of Luton's finest real ale bars announced it was closing last week.
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The Black Horse pub in Hastings Street was a noted member of CAMRA (campaign for real ale) and was famed for its selection of beers.

The venue billed itself as a free house that "serves the best real ale in the Republic of Luton".

But like hundreds of other pubs across the country, the business has closed after more than three months of coronavirus lockdown.

The Black Horse pub in Hastings StreetThe Black Horse pub in Hastings Street
The Black Horse pub in Hastings Street

Chris Brookes, landlord of The Black Horse, announced online: "It's with sadness, I am letting you all know that the Black Horse will not be reopening within the foreseeable future.

"I'm particularly sad for the locals - some of you have driven me mad over the last five and a half years - but it's you who have kept the pub going."

Mr Brookes thanked all those who had helped get the pub up and running over the years.

Roy Chatto, chairman of South Beds CAMRA, said: "All of us at South Beds CAMRA are saddened to learn of the closure of The Black Horse in Hastings Street.

"I used to go in there before and after a Luton Town match as did lots of LTFC supporters. They had three hand pumps usually including a dark beer (stout or porter), which was rare in Luton.

"The pub is in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide and has been for a number of years."

Mr Chatto added that a number of local real ale pubs had closed in recent years.

He said: "The Chequers at Houghton Conquest has also shut. I drove through Toddington yesterday and am also sad to see that there are now only two pubs left, The Bell and the Griffin.

"Toddington used to be the perfect place to live if you wanted lots of pubs in a village. I can remember nine recently.

"Dunstable has recently lost about half their pubs.

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