"The Push" reminds me of "The Scratching Cat", though the story's rather sadder. In the middle of nowhere, in deepest Cambridgeshire, was a pub called "The Downing Arms". It said that on the sign, and it really was in the middle of nowhere. I don't think that there were more than 6 or so people within walking distance of the place, so it had no real locals to speak of. It was a road house, and had quite a few visitors, even though it was off the beaten track.

For decades, it was well known for good beer and real honest English food (steak and kidney pudding and such like) though the "restaurant" only had room for about 8 people. For decades, certainly since World War II, it was always known as "The Scratching Cat". Nobody ever called it "The Downing Arms". The pub changed hands once or twice, but it never changed.

Then, finally, it got a landlord who had ideas. He got it into Egon Ronay, the food went decidedly upmarket and decidedly non-English. He also got rid of the old "Downing Arms" pub sign and replaced it with a new one saying "The Scratching Cat". The pub became very fashionable and very popular. For about 18 months. Then the punters went elsewhere and the regulars had already gone.

The next landlord, after the last one had gone bust, struggled with keeping it going and introduced microwaved freezer food. Nobody called (well, I did one day but never again).

The pub was closed and stood deserted with the 2 year old "Scratching Cat" sign falling off. Finally it was sold as a house and the barns converted into dwellings.

Gone forever.

:-(