21/05/2026
A Message From The Royal Oak, Kings Bromley 💔
Good day to everyone,
As is so often the way, there has been a great deal of rumour and gossip circulating about the future of The Royal Oak, and we feel it's only right that you hear the truth directly from us.
Our upcoming events will still go ahead. The two events already in the diary were planned, and tickets sold, long before this decision was made. We would never dream of letting down the people who booked in good faith, so both will take place as promised inside the pub. Please note these are closed events for ticket holders only.
Over the past 8 months, we have poured our hearts into this place. We've put on countless events and themed nights, tried new ideas, and done everything we could to give this village a pub to be proud of. Sadly, that effort has been met with support from only a very small handful of locals — and we say that not with bitterness, but with genuine sadness. Running a pub without consistent, regular trade is simply not sustainable, and the uncertainty has taken its toll.
After many long conversations with the Brewery, exploring every possible way forward, we reached an impasse on what each side wanted from the business. With heavy hearts, we have therefore taken the difficult decision to relinquish our lease.
No firm date has been set yet, and we will let you know as soon as we do. The Brewery has quite rightly already begun marketing the pub, both with boards outside and on their website — because none of us want to see the doors of The Royal Oak close for good.
The reality of our industry today is a sobering one. According to the BBC, approximately two British pubs are closing every single day in 2026, with 161 lost in the first three months of this year alone, and around 2,400 jobs gone with them. Village pubs are the hardest hit of all.
🔗 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9d355nw7jzo
It is for all these reasons that we will be handing over the reins, and our deepest hope is that whoever takes them up next will be embraced by the community — all year round, not only when the cricket club is closed. A village pub needs support every single day. A few pints a week is simply not enough to keep the lights on; pubs survive on drinks, food, and people turning up to events.
We have met some truly wonderful people during our time here, and we will carry those memories with us always. We did what we believed was right for the business, and we understand that wasn't to everyone's taste — and that's okay.
To every single guest, customer, friend and local who supported us — thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. We wish each and every one of you the very, very best.
With love and gratitude,
The Royal Oak 🍺
The British Beer and Pub Association says 161 pubs have closed in the first three months of this year.
