Overview

• The Abbey pub in Darley Abbey, Derby, was abruptly closed on May 21, 2025, following a social media post featuring interior photos of the venue.
• Samuel Smith brewery, known for its strict 'digital detox' policies, cited the photo breach as the reason for the closure and removed the alcohol and licensees without prior notice.
• The pub, a 900-year-old community hub, had only reopened in September 2024 after a five-year closure and a prolonged local campaign.
• Residents and local leaders, including Councillor Martin Repton, have condemned the closure, calling it devastating and urging the brewery to reconsider.
• The brewery's owner, Humphrey Smith, has a history of sudden pub closures for policy violations, with several similar incidents reported in recent years.