The Times understands the tavern, situated across the road from the Taree Airport, was shut down in the last fortnight. The Airport is the second licensed premises in the Manning area to close in the last decade following Fotheringham's Hotel (the Vic Hotel) in Taree.

Fotheringhams now has rental accommodation but no bar area. A third establishment, the Wingham Hotel, burnt down in July 2010 and has never been rebuilt.

The Roche Group owns the Airport Hotel and was contacted by the Times this week regarding the closure.

"Regarding your enquiries, Roche Group has no comment at this time,'' the group replied by email.

The Airport Tavern opened in 1983 in what were described as temporary premises.

There were long-term plans to relocate the tavern to a marina-type development on the Dawson River, but these didn't eventuate.

The tavern has had numerous owners in the years since, with The Roche Group being the latest.