LAST orders have been called at a pub as it shut its doors for the final time on Sunday.

The Prince of Wales in Albert Street, Stevenage, has pulled its last pint as, due to competition in the Old Town, keeping it open was no longer “economical”.

Fergus McMullen, production and sales director for McMullen and Sons, who own the pub, said: “It was an economic decision. It was what I call an ‘olde worlde’ pub and with a Wetherspoons in the High Street they can charge prices which we can’t.

“It would’ve been wrong of me to keep that pub open and break the tenant.”

The Prince of Wales’ sign was pulled down on Monday morning and tenant Caroline Kiff has since moved to High Street-based bar 2 Dry.

A regular at the pub, who was in The Prince of Wales on Sunday night, said: “It’s very sad and the last of the old town pubs.

“It’s a shame for the elderly residents who live in the road - where are they going to go now?”

The premises is expected be sold on Friday but Stevenage Borough Council have not yet received any planning applications for the building at 61 Albert Street. The pub is the second to shut in Albert Street, following the closure of The White Horse.

The site is currently subject to an appeal after a planning application for a Muslim community centre, put forward by the Stevenage Bangladeshi community, was rejected by the council last year.