Slough's shrinking pub scene has seen two big names close their doors this year, with another on the horizon.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has described the town's pub scene as "dire" with only 14 pubs remaining in Slough, meaning there is just one per 9,816 people.

Meanwhile, the amount of drinkers and non-drinkers in Slough is consistent with the national average.

CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona added: "The recent spate of closures in Slough is, unfortunately, reflective of the struggles of the licensed trade across the whole of the UK.

“The reason behind these closures cannot be identified as one single issue, but instead it is the amalgamation of a whole torrent of challenges that pubs and social clubs, along with the breweries and cider makers who serve them, are currently swimming upstream against. This is a make-or-break time for the trade. 

"The simultaneous rising costs of goods and employing staff, government help with energy bills being cut and customers continuing to tighten their belts due to the cost-of-living crisis risks drowning the beer and pub industries, which are still desperately trying to recover from the aftereffects of the pandemic. 

“Pubs, social clubs and taprooms need support from the government now more than ever if they are to survive and thrive. Business rate relief schemes currently in place in England are due to end in 2024, so the Government needs to act soon."

The Three Tuns

Slough Observer: The Three Tuns

The much-loved pub announced its closure after rumours began to circulate on social media.

A Three Tuns spokesperson said: "We will be closing our doors on the weekend of June 16.

"It has been very saddening and has taken a long while to digest.

"I guess all things including good things must eventually come to an end."

It follows the announcement that the freeholder of the pub had sold the site.

However, the team at The Three Tuns are unaware of what will be coming to the property next.

The Three Tuns is a grade II listed building built in the 1700s, it is one of two surviving coaching inns in Slough.

Herschel Arms

Slough Observer:

An iconic Berkshire pub closed after 159 years of serving the local community in Slough.

Landlord of the Herschel Arms, Tom King, 72, spoke of the difficult decision to close which has come after rent couldn’t be agreed on with the landowner.

On August 5 Tom broke the news to his loyal customers on Facebook, stating: “I have been putting this off for over a week now but Thursday, August 31 is my last day in the Herschel.”

Speaking to the Observer, Tom said: "It's nobody's fault really. It's just an inability to agree which happens in a lot of businesses - rents have gone mad everywhere."

Tom has fronted the Herschel Arms since 1995 and says the situation has left him feeling "overwhelmed" and "let down".

Jolly Woodman

Slough Observer:

The Jolly Woodman, near Burnham Beeches, is set to close on January 7, 2024.

The owners broke the news, writing: "It is with the deepest sadness that I have to inform you that the Jolly Woodman will close its doors for the last time as a public house on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

"Our landlords Global Taverns (who have been incredibly supportive to date) have decided to sell the freehold and the new owners have no intention of operating the Jolly Woodman as a public house.

"Whilst this news is devastating for everyone involved and especially our wonderful team, we will endeavour to give the pub a great send-off with a bumper Christmas and we hope you will join us in putting a smile on everyone’s face and help create lasting memories."

The Jolly Woodman is the oldest pub in the area, having first believed to have been granted a license in 1832.

The upcoming closure is another huge loss to the local community with the Campaign for Real Ale accrediting the pub for "serving consistently well-kept real ales".