A pub described as the last in the area has closed - despite a campaign to save it.

The Prince of Wales, in Church Hill Road, East Barnet, closed after its final day of trading yesterday (February 14).

When the public house confirmed the final date, it said: “We [are] going to leave with a BIG rock night party, please come and join us.”

The 148-year-old venue had most recently been run by pub company Stonegate, which gave it a major refurbishment after taking it on in 2022, but said in January it had put the premises on the market.

The firm has reportedly faced financial difficulties, with the GMB union claiming parent company TDR Capital is seeking to refinance £2.6 billion of debt.

There were rumours on community Facebook groups that JD Wetherspoon would acquire the site, but a spokesperson denied this.

Times Series: East Barnet Residents Association on January 16 outside the Prince of Wales pub to show supportEast Barnet Residents Association on January 16 outside the Prince of Wales pub to show support (Image: Theresa Villiers / LDRS)

East Barnet councillors Phil Cohen, Simon Radford and Edith David, along with Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Chipping Barnet Dan Tomlinson, launched a campaign to save what they say is a “landmark” in the local area.

More than 2,909 signatures backed the petition to save The Prince of Wales.

East Barnet Residents Association has applied to Barnet Council to make the pub an asset of community value. If it does, it gives the community the right to put in an offer to buy the pub.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers says a hearing on February 26 is due to decide this.

Cllr Radford said the pub’s longevity was part of the reason it should be valued. He added: “We celebrated my own son’s christening with a pub lunch at the Prince with our extended family. East Barnet Village needs community assets where residents old and new can come together.”

Stonegate was approached for comment.