Fight to save Kate Middleton and Prince William's 'favourite' pub

Fight to save Kate Middleton and Prince William's 'favourite' pub
Fight to save Kate Middleton and Prince William's 'favourite' pub




A campaign has been launched to save a pub frequented by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge near Kate Middleton's home town of Bucklebury.

The landlord of The Old Boot Inn at Stanford Dingley, which neighbours Bucklebury where Kate's parents own a £7 million home, has applied to turn the pub into a residential dwelling.

John Haley (pictured below) applied for planning permission to make the pub a home after claiming the pub, which is still currently open, is no longer viable as a business.

Fight to save Kate Middleton and Prince William's 'favourite' pub
Fight to save Kate Middleton and Prince William's 'favourite' pub



Kate and Wills, as well as the Middleton family, are reportedly regulars, and love the pub so much they even invited Mr Haley to their wedding in 2011.

At the time he told the Daily Mail: "We're used to seeing Kate in the pub.

"The first time she and William came in it was nerve-racking, but you soon realise they're just a normal couple."

But Haley's new plan have now put a lot of locals' noses out of joint - and they are hoping the royals will back their decision to oppose the idea and support their 'save our pub' campaign.

Fight to save Kate Middleton and Prince William's 'favourite' pub
Fight to save Kate Middleton and Prince William's 'favourite' pub



According to the Express, one local, Andy MacKenzie, said: "The Old Boot Inn is a valuable village community asset and would be greatly missed.

"The pub is well used and famed for royal patronage."

Fellow villager Paul Lemm agreed, saying: "I object to this change of use application as I believe that the Boot is still viable as a pub.

"The Boot has been an essential part of this community for 300 years and should not be closed."

According to Newbury Today, a statement from the Stanford Dingley Parish Council read: "The closure of The Old Boot Inn would undoubtedly affect village life, and would prove a serious loss to many in the local community.

"The financial trading data on The Old Boot has been withheld from the Viability Report, and therefore it is impossible to conclude anything about the pub's current viability, let alone its future prospects. "

"The review should involve discussions with members of the local community, and consider what investment might be required to sustain the pub in the future.

"Pending that review, our default position will be to oppose the change of use. "

As well as being a local favourite, the pub was the second stop on 'The Kate Middleton Tour' run by Hampshire-based coach travel firm Mortons to show people places where the Duchess has visited.





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