![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2bhrb9p-pub-closed-blackboard-chalkboard-839673597.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAFTER nearly two decades in business, one of Britain's top gastropubs has suddenly closed its doors. <\/p>\n
Run by chef Stephen Terry, Abergavenny restaurant The Hardwick shocked customers with an online post over the weekend revealing it had shut down.<\/p>\n
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The Welsh pub first opened in 2005 before going on to win numerous accolades. <\/p>\n
In 2010 it was named as gastropub of the year at the national restaurant awards.<\/p>\n
And was number 20 in last year's list of top 50 gastropubs.<\/p>\n
Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace was also a big fan of the pub and said: "I've eaten Stephen's food for many years and I think his dishes at The Hardwick are outstanding."<\/p>\n
The post on Instagram showed the chef and staff eating breakfast and read: "The final \u2018Family\u2019 last breakfast supper. <\/p>\n "Thank you to all our staff and customers from the last 18yrs. <\/p>\n "It\u2019s been emotional. Onwards & upwards.<\/p>\n "Kirk out."<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Devastated customers shared their sadness on the post. <\/p>\n One user wrote: "This is a total tragedy – very best wishes Stephen, Jo & family."<\/p>\n Another said: "Sending love and light. The Hardwick has been a beacon of all that\u2019s right in Welsh hospitality. We can only empathise with the relief\/grief you must be feeling."<\/p>\n Rival pub chain Greene King runs more than 3,000 pubs across the UK. <\/p>\n The cost of living crisis has led to more households tightening their budgets and spending less money on going out to eat and drink. <\/p>\n High energy costs, business rates and rent are also a big pressure on small businesses like pubs. <\/p>\n Pub giant\u00a0Wetherspoon\u00a0has this year closed boozers across the UK, including in Hove,\u00a0Derby\u00a0and London.<\/p>\n And it's not just pubs. Many shops are feeling the pinch too.<\/p>\n Earlier this month,\u00a0Next announced it was closing 11 stores.<\/p>\n And\u00a0Boots is also closing 300 stores.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/newspress-collage-24254407-1696364979009.jpg\")
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