AN iconic 200-year-old pub has announced its sudden closure as punters mourn their "real loss for the local community". The historic Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, on Finchley Rd in north west London, was shut down on Saturday much to the disappointment of loyal customers. The move was made by operator Samuel Smith's Brewery but the reason for closure and future site plans remain unknown. As staff poured their last pints behind the bar, one fan told the BBC: "You choose a pub with a different atmosphere - a lot of them are becoming like clones now.".

We are all shedding a tear. "It's one of those institutions you’ve always seen when you come into London," added another. Local Candice Temple spoke to the Ham&High before Ye Old Swiss Cottage closed. She said: "It's so awful. I run a monthly group for people with concerns about the world at the Swiss Cottage Community Centre which is a hop, skip and jump from the Ye Olde Swiss Cottage. "We are all shedding a tear.".

Fellow resident Tony Kay added: "When I moved into the area the pub used to be very full. It was a stop off for people going to Wembley to watch the football. "Since then it's been very empty and a shadow of its former self. We hope it will be taken over as a pub again.". The nearby North Star is now the only pub left on the road amid a string of closures affecting London. "It was in a good place and what else is going to go there," asked another devoted punter.

"What I don't want is for it to be knocked down and turned into flats.". Meanwhile Joanne Scott, from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said its closure was a "real loss for the local community and also for London". She added: "There has a pub on site for 200 years and there isn’t many pubs in this area, so it is important to keep it as pub.". The historic landmark, dated back to the 1830s, inspired the name of Swiss Cottage Tube station, as well as the local area.

The consumer organisation adds: "There had been a gabled building on the site called Lausanne Cottage said to have been used by Charles II as a hunting lodge and there may have been an earlier pub called the Swiss Tavern.". It's famous Swiss lodge design remains a mystery to this day, and the property is not listed which has blocked campaigns to save it. Pub expert Thomas J. Vosper said pubs are "the heart of every town" in England, and are often "the hub".

"They're the place where you can go and celebrate a birthday party. You can go and cheer on your football team," he explained. "Or perhaps you can have a pint and commiserate, or have a tough conversation with a friend when you need it.". It is not known what will replace the Ye Olde Swiss Cottage site. A member of staff, who did not wish to be named, told the Ham&High: "As far as I know it's closing and staff who work here will go to another site.