IT has been a difficult few years for pubs - from factors ranging from the pandemic to recruitment and the cost of living crisis. 

These are some of the pubs that could no longer cover their books and had to shut down since the first lockdown.

The Barrow Arms, Barrow

This much-loved Cavendish Street pub closed in March, blaming 'the economic degradation of the town centre of Barrow' and the state of the building. 

The pub marketed itself as a gastropub when it reopened in June 2019. Michael and Livia Ion worked as the head chef and bartender when they took over the pub. 

Michael said: "My heart has been in this business for the past three years but I feel it is time for me to leave.

“There’s no business in this town. There’s nothing left in the town centre anymore so I can’t stay here." 

The Cross Keys, Milnthorpe 

The historic coaching inn was owned by Robinsons when it closed in October. According to local councillor Roger Bingham, there had been plans to refurbish the pub but now it is unclear what the future of the pub will be. 

The Mail: The Cross Keys hotel in Milnthorpe The Cross Keys hotel in Milnthorpe (Image: Google Maps)

In a statement, the pub said: "There are lots of factors involved with running this pub and the costs of doing so are getting out of hand. The brewery has decided to close the site and review the situation in future years. Thank you to everyone for your support over the years and hopefully, we will all meet again."

Prince of Wales, Foxfield

This classic pub closed in March 2020, and when it was bought by Millom-based developer As If By Magic Ltd shortly afterwards there were grand plans to refurbish the establishment. 

However, the developer then sold the pub, citing 'global challenges and significant costs.'

The Mail: The Prince of Wales has stood abandoned since the start of the pandemic The Prince of Wales has stood abandoned since the start of the pandemic (Image: Newsquest)

A group of local residents applied to South Lakeland District Council to take on the pub. The council gave the community six months to raise funds to buy it before it is offered to other bidders.

The chair of the Campaign for Real Ale in Furness Jack Summers-Glass said that the pub could re-open in the near future if the group manages to do this. 

The group has until April 2023 to raise around £450,000 for the purchase price and redevelopment costs.