Local institution to shut its doors amid prolonged disruption
The White Horse on Easthampstead Road in Wokingham has announced it will close after more than a decade serving the town. The pub’s landlords said the final day of trading will be Saturday, 16 August, with last orders called that evening.
The news comes after months of turmoil for the venue, whose operators pointed to long-running roadworks nearby as a major factor in declining trade. The disruption has been associated with construction of the South Wokingham Distributor Road, which has involved closures and changes to access around Easthampstead Road and Star Lane.
- Final service: Saturday, 16 August
- Operators: Tom and Anita McNelly (landlords)
- Operator company: Greene King
- Recent recognition: Listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2026; runner-up in Wokingham’s Best Pub
In an emotional message posted on social media the pub thanked its regulars, neighbours and friends for their support over the years, describing the venue as "more than just a place to grab a drink" and a "home away from home" for many in the community.
"This pub has always been more than just a place to grab a drink; it was a home away from home, a place of celebration, and a cornerstone of our community."
The family who ran the pub, Tom and Anita McNelly, had already signalled they would be stepping away after more than ten years at the helm. In April, Mr McNelly said the business had suffered because of the roadworks taking place adjacent to and outside the pub, which made access difficult for customers.
Greene King, which operates the site, said at the time it was "very sad" to see the family leave and that it had provided support during the transition. The company has not provided further public comment on the closure announcement beyond acknowledging the challenging operating conditions created by the nearby works.
Wider impact on town centre trade
Residents and other local businesses have previously told reporters that closures and diversions around the distributor road works left some premises "virtually inaccessible" for periods of time. The White Horse’s management linked such disruption directly to difficulties in sustaining trade.
While the pub continued to attract praise — being included in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2026 and finishing as runner-up in Wokingham’s Best Pub competition — recognition could not fully offset the practical problems of reduced footfall and constrained vehicle access.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final trading day | 16 August |
| Landlords | Tom and Anita McNelly |
| Operator | Greene King |
| Recent accolades | CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2026; runner-up in Wokingham’s Best Pub |
For many in Wokingham, the closure will be felt beyond the loss of a place to eat or drink. The White Horse has been described locally as a meeting point for celebrations, Sunday afternoons and community life; its landlords’ farewell message reflected that role and thanked customers for sharing milestones and memories there.
Local residents who rely on small pubs for social contact and companionship will now be looking at what replaces the venue and how the town centre can support remaining independent hospitality businesses while major infrastructure projects continue.
As Wokingham completes major road improvements, questions around how town centre access is managed and how traders are supported during long-term works are likely to remain. For now the focus will be on the pub’s final weekend of trading, when regulars and neighbours can say goodbye to a longstanding local institution.
