On New Year’s Eve, a historic bar will serve its final patrons.

The Air Balloon on the A417 near Birdlip, Gloucestershire, is being dismantled to make room for a significant road improvement.

It has been known as the Air Balloon for at least 220 years and lent its name to a local roundabout that has become an accident hotspot.

The tavern has been in jeopardy of closing for decades due to different efforts to alter the A417’s road layout.

The pub’s staff announced on social media that it will close at 17:00 GMT on December 31 and thanked patrons for their support.

The employees posted on Facebook, “We have enjoyed serving you over the years, but the time has come to close the bar to make way for the new road.”

As you may imagine, this is a challenging time, but we look forward to offering everyone a memorable last Christmas with us.

“Awesome memories”

Customers and passing motorists responded immediately to The Air Balloon’s statement.

The widow of the late actor John Challis, Carol Challis, tweeted: “John used to refer to the Air Balloon as the Air ‘ balloon after the B fell off one year. A new road will be constructed, but the bar must be removed to make room. On our route to London, we passed this location countless times.

Glyn Evans remarked on Facebook, “You’ve been the ideal gathering place for my family, and we’ve created some wonderful memories in your home and garden.”

Angela Bicknell said that over the years, at least four generations of her family have visited The Air Balloon.

It will be profoundly missed by everyone in Gloucestershire.

The tavern was named The Air Balloon because Birdlip and Crickley Hill were prominent launch sites in the 1780s when ballooning became popular in England.

Originally known as The Balloon, the name was eventually changed to The Air Balloon.