The Liverpool Arms in Baldrine has called last orders and closed its doors to customers.

This brings to an end centuries of the pub, which was a coaching inn and is known as the halfway house as it stands half way between Douglas and Laxey, serving the public.

Licensee Nigel Dobson said the decision to close was ’incredibly difficult’ but the situation was untenable.

Six full-time workers have lost their jobs plus part-time staff.

’We lost a five-year contracts at the beginning of the year, to do the catering at Manx National Heritage cafes at the Sound, Cregneash and the Bay tea room at the Manx Museum. Government went out to tender. It was all part of the same company,’ he explained.

’Also, the summer was not as good as last year. It was quieter. People have not got as much money available as they used to. Plus the younger generation do not go out to pubs, they buy drink from the supermarket and drink at home.’

He said that since he took over at the Liverpool Arms in 2000, he has tried ’everything to make the appeal as wide as possible’.

’We had a refurbishment, we were the first pub to have internet access, we were open and serving food - less expensive and posher food - throughout the day. We had real ales, guest beers, Japanese lager.

’We have tried many things over the years, until recently it was very successful.’

Mr Dobson’s parents ran pubs and he pulled his first pint at the age of 12, so he knows the business very well.

He said: ’We did not have enough loyal customers. We had regular trade but it was not enough.

’It’s a shrinking industry.

’I think it’s sad for society. Everybody would be talking about football, someone would be going back to their four bedroom house, another person was going back to their council flat, it did not matter, everyone is equal. Society is losing something. It’s not the same as going to a coffee shop where you’d go with a group of friends and not talk to others.’