Villagers fear pub may never reopen
Villagers fear a pub which has now been shut for nine months may never re-open.The White Hart - one of three pubs at Stradbroke - closed at the end of last summer when the licensee suddenly departed.
Villagers fear a pub which has now been shut for nine months may never re-open.
The White Hart - one of three pubs at Stradbroke - closed at the end of last summer when the licensee suddenly departed.
Owner, Punch Taverns, has been trying to re-let the lease ever since but so far there have been no takers.
Now villagers fear there may be a further attempt to obtain permission to convert the pub for residential use and build homes on its extensive gardens.
The first attempt, made by a previous owner, failed when villagers launched a strong campaign, culminating in a refusal by Mid Suffolk District Council to grant planning permission.
However, with two other pubs in a village of only a few hundred people, some people believe an economic future for three pubs may be unsustainable.
Most Read
- 1 Weather warning as thunderstorms set to hit Norfolk
- 2 'Metal monstrosities' - Opposition to new East Anglia power line grows
- 3 'Like a Halloween scene' - huge caterpillar webs engulf hedges
- 4 As seen on TV: The Norfolk guest house with a spa...in a bank vault!
- 5 WATCH: Inside ex-Aviva office being bought for millions by councils
- 6 Norfolk MP's concern over new line of pylons
- 7 Road cleared after severe delays in Diss following vehicle breakdown
- 8 'Blood rain' could fall this week as thunderstorms move in
- 9 From meat in supermarkets to beer in pubs - what is getting more expensive?
- 10 Major supermarkets order urgent product recalls over salmonella fears
Parish council chairman, Annie Kerr, said there were still hopes that the pub would re-open.
“However, we've got to be realistic and it may be that new landlords cannot be found. It will depend on the terms being offered for the lease,” she said.
Members of a successful bowls club attached to the White Hart have been continuing with their fixtures during the pub's closure.
“It is a thriving club and everyone will fight to keep it open, not only the club members but the wider community,” one member said.
A spokeswoman for Punch Taverns said: “Our priority is to get the White Hart, Stradbroke, open for trade as soon as possible.
“We are committed to building a successful future for this pub and currently in the process of recruiting a high calibre licensee.
“If any readers are interested in finding more about this opportunity, they can ring our recruitment team on 0844 848 3279 for further details.”