For years St Giles Ale House has been a big part of a Northampton street that champions independent businesses.
However, earlier this week, owner Terry Steers, announced the permanent closure of the pub after energy costs increased by 400 percent.
The owner posted a heartfelt goodbye to “everyone who has supported us over the last six years” but explained the business could not survive the increase in costs.
Following the announcement on Monday, January 9, many customers took to social media to send well wishes to Terry and share their fond memories of the traditional real ale pub.
One commenter said: “A real tragedy this. A fabulous boozer, a fabulous team. And this is not just a great pub gone, but a sanctuary from the madness that surrounds us. Sad, sad loss.”
Another added: “Such a shame, You did so well to get through Covid, but the current price rise madness is going to catch out a lot of people. The Ale House is a great loss to the town.”
Another said: “Great beer and always interesting customers made St Giles Ale House the best bar in town. Will be sadly missed.”
To mark the sad loss felt by the town, we have looked in our archives for photos of St Giles Ale House and times the pub and its owners have appeared in the paper over the years, since it opened in 2016.
Below are the pictures from St Giles Ale House over its six years of business.
The owner posted a heartfelt goodbye to “everyone who has supported us over the last six years” but explained the business could not survive the increase in costs.
![To weather the storm of Covid-19, in June 2020, the pub launched a takeaway service where customers could order four or eight pint containers for collection only. The team had to adhere to social distancing and other measures.](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNkMDBiYzRmLTU3NzktNDE0ZS05NjI2LTVlNTU2ODAwMGYxODo5NGMxODU3MC05MGEyLTQ2NWYtYTA0OC04NzE0Mjc5Yzc5YzY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Looking back at St Giles Ale house through the years
To weather the storm of Covid-19, in June 2020, the pub launched a takeaway service where customers could order four or eight pint containers for collection only. The team had to adhere to social distancing and other measures. Photo: Leila Coker
![June 2021 saw another refurb for the pub in a bit to appeal to new punters and 'bring the pub into the 21st century', but keep the same ethos intact.](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdmOGEwOGRhLWRkN2ItNDUxZC1iZGE4LTc4ZTQ4NDRiOGVmYjo0OGFkZWNmMi05MTRjLTQzNGYtYTA0Yy05MTcwMTgzN2ZmMDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Looking back at St Giles Ale house through the years
June 2021 saw another refurb for the pub in a bit to appeal to new punters and 'bring the pub into the 21st century', but keep the same ethos intact. Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
![June 2021 saw another refurb for the pub in a bit to appeal to new punters and 'bring the pub into the 21st century', but keep the same ethos intact.](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM1ODk0ZGNhLTE2OTItNGVkMy04MDlmLWVlMDhmZTg1YTIxZTowMjQxZjVlMS04M2M4LTRhNjUtYTkwYy1iNmVlOGQ2ZTlkNjA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Looking back at St Giles Ale house through the years
June 2021 saw another refurb for the pub in a bit to appeal to new punters and 'bring the pub into the 21st century', but keep the same ethos intact. Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
![June 2021 saw another refurb for the pub in a bit to appeal to new punters and 'bring the pub into the 21st century', but keep the same ethos intact.](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUyYWZhY2Q1LWJjZWQtNDczZS05YjVlLTNkOTgxMjdjMzk5ODphZTgwMTc0YS05Y2Y1LTQ1MDUtYTE2Yi1jMTA2YjkzNWY5MDg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Looking back at St Giles Ale house through the years
June 2021 saw another refurb for the pub in a bit to appeal to new punters and 'bring the pub into the 21st century', but keep the same ethos intact. Photo: Kirsty Edmonds