An iconic pub has shut its doors just months after reopening.
The pub was at the beating heart of a huge city centre, and famed for its footie lore.
The Grainger Tavern, at the centre of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has sadly closed for good.
This comes less than a year after reopening, with the pub previously being known as Butlers.
Butlers was once the go-to starting point of any good night out on the Toon.
Situated adjacent to the ever-bustling Granger Market in the centre of Newcastle, drinkers in the city used to swarm the watering hole.
It was the perfect warm-up bar for major events around the city, with loud music often playing from the early afternoon.
This was supplemented by all of the essential features for a lively pub: DJs on deck, a karaoke machine for punters to have a sing-song, and of course, wall-to-wall TVs for sports.
This last feature made it a fixture for many football fans, and especially members of the Toon army, who would soak up its raucous atmosphere on matchdays.
It was therefore a tragic shock when Butlers closed last year – before bouncing back to return as the Grainger Tavern.
With a name capitalising on its prime location, the boozer had made some changes, with a new external look, and even some minor adjustments indoors.
The pub seemed to have returned to business as usual, with live coverage of Newcastle United’sPremier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup games being advertised to punters.
Devastatingly, locals were unable to attend the pub for Newcastle’s triumphant Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool.
The Grainger Tavern shut its doors just days before Eddie Howe’s men lifted their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
In doing so, the pub missed out on a day when the pub would have surely been heaving with jubilant fans and flowing pints.
On March 14, the Grainger Tavern made its final Facebook post, saying: “Just to let you no that the Grainger Tavern is CLOSED till further notice.
“Please don’t ask me as I don’t know why thanks and sorry for any inconvenience.”
Unsurprisingly, former punters were quick to pay tribute to the venue.
“I’m missing this place, my favourite starting point for a few beers for my nights out in town,” said Ant Ward.
In a hopeful response, the pub replied: “Let’s hope someone comes along and takes it on soon.”
Two months on, the latest images of the Grainger Tavern paint a bleak picture.
The doors of the pub remain firmly closed, with a huge padlock visible to keep them so indefinitely.
There is also a huge ‘To Let‘ sign in one of the windows, advertising the vacant pub to any potential buyers willing to take it on.
Sadly, there is currently no news of another relaunch for the iconic Nun Street boozer.
