Haddenham Cherry Tree pub owner speaks of sadness as it prepares to shut

The Cherry Tree pub has been part of the Haddenham community for decades

A village pub that was a hub for the community is set to close on Sunday.

Chris Taylor, who owns the Cherry Tree at Haddenham near Ely, Cambridgeshire, said people's habits changing after the pandemic had "cut into our profits".

He wanted to develop part of the car park to generate extra revenue, but was denied planning permission.

The pub owner said "the stuffing" was "knocked out of us" and they could not make it work, despite the "fantastic support from customers".

Mr Taylor bought the pub in 2019, but due to the coronavirus lockdowns he said they were "shut more than we were open".

The family has used the pub to run open mic nights, dog shows and quizzes, among other events.

"Coming out of the pandemic we found people had changed their habits and were not going out as much, which cut into our profits," said Mr Taylor.

Chris Taylor, owner of the Cherry Tree pub, said: "We have put our heart and soul into this venture."

He previously looked at selling the business in order to raise money, but no "firm" offers were made.

He then looked at selling part of the car park as a building plot, but the local council rejected the plans.

"I do not want to put more of my pension and savings into the Cherry Tree, so I feel we have been forced to close," said Mr Taylor.

"I could appeal the ECDC [East Cambridgeshire District Council] decision, but having spent the best part of £30,000 on the original application, nobody in the family wants to spend any more money. We have had the stuffing knocked out of us."

He continued: "At the start of last year we lost our youngest daughter in tragic circumstances, it has been a real kicking for all of us. When that incident happened, we were shut for several weeks and we never really recovered from that financially."

Speaking about the planning application, ECDC said its aim was to "provide the best service it can for residents" but had a "duty of care" to follow "statutory legislation and guidance".

"The grounds for refusal of planning permission included a significant loss of garden space for the existing cafe and public house, which could potentially impact their commercial viability and that of the premises in the long-term; a failure to demonstrate safe and convenient access to the proposed car park; and significant oppressive impact on a neighbouring property."