A 200-year-old Cradley pub has closed with the heartbroken landlady saying "we just cannot continue."

The Why Not pub pub has been run for the past two years by Lisa Vincze and her husband Atilla.

The couple took over the pub in Whynot Street in August 2022 when previous landlord David Cooper retired after 16 years at the helm. 

It was an exciting new chapter for mum Lisa, who had never worked in the pub trade before, having been a manager for a construction tool hire firm for 31 years.

But sadly the dream has not worked out and the couple were forced to make the difficult decision to close the pub after being hit by a lack of trade.

Lisa and her husband Atilla and their son when they took Lisa, her husband Atilla and their son  (Image: Handout)

Lisa posted on social media: "This is one of the hardest posts I have had to write.

"With our deepest regret we have no option but to close the doors to the Why Not Inn permanently with the lack of trade as of late it has become more and more difficult week on week to keep the doors open.

"This hasn’t been an easy decision and if we could have done anything more we would have.

"We have done our best over the past 2 years to bring the community together, raise money, bring live entertainment back to the pub, cater more for the kids but unfortunately this has not been enough and without people coming through the doors we just cannot continue anymore.

"I would like to thank the ones who have supported us and stuck by us and I am sure that in the near future it shall reopen to the public.

"If you have left deposits for Christmas Day I will be in touch in due course to refund deposits. Thank you all again. Much love."

(Image: Google)

More than 150 people left comments expressing their sadness at the closure.

One person said: "Absolutely gutted to read this!

"Thank you for all you have done and the lovely food and memories we have made in your pub.

"Wishing you all the best for the future."

Another said: "Deepest regret to hear of another local pub closing I feel your pain trade is very slow.

"I wish you all the very best I take my hat off to you both for doing your very best.

"Take care no shame in this post but pure respect."