Research suggests Britain is losing its public houses at a rate of about 26 every week, with that number expected to grow during the coming year.
I thought a good way to mark this, was a series of caches at the site of local dearly departed pubs, & there is no better place to begin than my old local - The Gold Cup. This pub closed abruptly at the end of 2011 & at the time of publishing this cache can still be seen. Catch it while you can - it will likely soon be another set of modern houses. You wouldn't guess it now; but 25m North of The Gold Cup, just down the road the relatively new development called "Cranbourne Towers" used to be another pub, The Cranbourne Tower. This closed in the early 2000s - can't recall the exact date, I was living in Windsor at the time, & only went in here the once, when I was mistaken for a Plain Clothes Policeman! Shows what is happening to our local pubs - I wonder how many of the new residents are aware of this history?
Forecasts suggest that between 2,500 & 4,000 of the remaining 49,500 Pubs in the UK will shut this year, so look sadly upon the Gold Cup & raise a glass to it in YOUR local soon.
Cache is a micro sized plastic cylinder. Has been hidden with appropriate care, as this is a high Muggle area. I'd suggest a C&D - park in St Christophers Gardens.
I'll keep an eye on this one over the next few weeks, & if it takes off will set out a few more in the TGP series at other dearly departed Pubs nearby. Happy Hunting & please take your glasses back to the bar.