A community-driven pub that only opened a year ago after a major renovation project has announced that it will be closing its doors permanently on New Year's Day. 

The owners of The Royal George in Skelton have revealed that January 1 will be their last day of trading after posting an emotional farewell online. 

It was only Christmas 2022 that the pub reopened after a significant revamp of the inside and outside of the pub - but the owners have now revealed that they will bow out running the pub after the next nine days at the helm. 

In a post online, the current owners didn't go into details about why the pub was shutting - but took the opportunity to thank the staff and regulars for their support during their ownership. 

The statement from The Royal George read: "It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this post. From January 1, 2024, we will stop trading and officially close The Royal George Skelton’s doors for the last time.

"I would like to thank our amazing staff, Heather, Ava and Faye for their dedication and all the fun days and nights we’ve had.

"We have made some awesome memories with our customers, which we will dearly miss.

"Thank you to all our customers for their support over the last year.

"Let’s go out with a bang and enjoy the last nine days at the Royal George Skelton."

Online, punters were 'gutted' that the pub would be closing - with one person saying: "This is awful news - it's not what we wanted to read," while another added: "This is devastating - soon, no pubs at all will be open."

The Royal George isn't the first pub that announced its closure this month. 

The Top House in Stanley revealed earlier in December that it had taken the tough decision to not reopen.

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In a post earlier this month, the owners said: "Well, we shut the doors tonight, so a massive thank you to everyone who has supported us through every moment in there. It’s been a massive success, especially in the current situation businesses are in.

"All our customers are fantastic and we would never been a success without you all. A massive thanks from us here at the Top House.

"We thank every member of staff who made it possible past and present, as you all played a part."