The end of an era has been mourned at historic Wycombe pub and strip club The White Horse with regulars invited to a final farewell to mark its closure.
The pub opened for one last time on Saturday, December 30, for locals to help "drink the bar dry" and celebrate one final get-together in the much-loved community hub.
Memories were swapped of the days when they celebrated a Covid lockdown party with licensee Alastair Watts on the pole 'stripped down to his underwear', to the chopper club days where bikers would meet up.
The 100-year-old venue has long stood proudly in West Wycombe Road and is known for hosting Kings of Leon’s first UK gig in 2003, as well as a string of other huge names including Coldplay, Snow Patrol and Seventies punk band, The Damned.
ALSO READ: Kings of Leon pay tribute to High Wycombe strip club
More recently, plans were put forward to bulldoze the historic pub and strip club to build eight two-bedroom flats. The proposal was refused by Buckinghamshire Council due to the proposed development being “out of character” with the surrounding area.
But above all else, it will always be fondly remembered for its welcoming and relaxed atmosphere where locals, regulars and past and present football fans mingled with the lap dancers.
Alastair, 78, has run the White Horse for 20 years and says it is no longer financially viable to keep it going due to the current economy and his health problems.
He said: "There are endless maintenance problems and I turned 78 last Wednesday and I'm far too old to be doing this sort of job.
"I love being the landlord and I like to think I'm popular with the customers but the big problem with running a pub is that you're available 24/7 quite literally.
"You'd be amazed at the people who demand to see a manager at 10 pm and money is a real problem.
"This is a big old barn of a place. It costs a fortune to heat and light."
Among those reminiscing over many fond times spent at the pub was one of its longest-surviving customers, Justin Retallack-Hall, who has been drinking at The White Horse for 30 years.
He said: "I came here when I was about 20. It's terrible really, it's pretty much the only place I really drunk at for the last 30 years so I've got to find somewhere else.
"I've seen the place change, people have come and gone but it's always been a great place and friendly.
"It's had an image which is totally unfair to be honest in the early days it was a rock/bikers pub.
"South Bucks Chopper Club used to meet here and we've had some pretty wild parties with them here back in the day."
Over at the busy bar area stood Chris Oconnell, who has been drinking at the pub for 20 years.
When asked how he feels about the closure, he said: "I was here every night, I would be here and the last one out of the place.
"It's wrong because someone else wanted to buy the place.
"I understand what's happening now with the pub trade and that's how it is.
"But you come here on Christmas Eve and no one is around.
"20 years ago down here you would have 12 regulars every night and after work, you don't see them anymore."
His partner Sue Carter said: "I feel very sad. We live just over the road and have been coming here over 20 years and have seen tribute bands and I've had some very good times.
"It's very sad."
Some of the dancers walking around the pub shared their feelings towards the closure.
A Lap dancer who goes by the name Larissa said: "I feel devastated. I've been here eight years and so I'm the longest-standing girl currently.
"It's like my second home and these guys are my family so I'm really sad and I'm trying not to think about it."
"We pride ourselves on it being a safe place for the girls to work. Strip clubs can be bitchy and cliquey and if you're a new dancer you can quite often not feel welcome whereas it's been the complete opposite here.
"We pride ourselves on being welcoming and encouraging one another. If someone's had a bad night we push them. We all want each other to do well and that's why it's worked so well and for me.
"I'm retiring after this and not going anywhere else.
"I don't want to go to the big posh place you won't get the customers, friendly girls etc."
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