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www.cornard.info |
The Great Cornard Information Website |
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Campaign to save The Highbury Barn |
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Page updated - 26 August 2012 |
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Most people are currently unaware of the impending plans to demolish the Highbuy Barn.
I am seeking your support in a campaign, to oppose planning application 00711 demolition of The Highbury Barn, Great Cornard.
The pub itself has been a focal point of the community since the 18th Century and has been a licensed premises since licenses began; Situated in the heart of Great Cornard. It has been host to numerous community events most recently the Valentines fling and the live music event for Sudbury cancer charity The Eden-Rose Coppice Trust.
Although the Pub has not been doing as well recently, this has mainly been due to inconsistent management and lack of utilisation of the premises; for example not serving food at all when they have a 28 cover restaurant.
It is currently being run by a holding company that is paid a wage by Punch to run the pub. Because of this there has been no real attempt to improve the business as they have no motivation to do so.
I guess the current owner (Punch Taverns), is trying to argue that the pub is no longer viable. I suspect they have been deliberately running the pub poorly in order to improve chances of having the Pub demolished as the land is worth more than the business.
The last lease holder took the pub on, with the understanding that they would invest in the B&B upstairs; as the current conversion does not adhere to regulations / guidelines and cannot be used. This never happened; subsequently they could no longer afford to run the Pub and had to leave. This is contradictory to the statement they make to lease holders.
I'm guessing all of this is mainly down to the insurmountable 3 billion debts the company has accumulated over the years.
The Pub used to do well and I believe given the right investment / management it will again.
I am currently running a Facebook group quite aptly named 'Save the Highbury Barn Great Cornard'. We also have a petition with over 250 signatures and counting along with running an online petition.
Babergh District council are currently waiting on people to object to these plans, it would be great if people would write in to:
Graham Chamberlain. Babergh District Council, Corks Lane, Hadleigh, Ipswich IP7 6SJ.
If we don’t do all we can to stop this then we will lose a historical landmark and social hot spot. Once it has gone there will be no going back
We have until the 6th September (less than 2 weeks) to try and sway the decision of the council.
If you would like to contact myself regarding this then e-mail savethebarn@fance.org
NB. We had to remove the Petition from behind the bar at the Highbury Barn as the current Management was concerned about Punch’s reaction and it looked like they was going to throw the petition away, we’re currently looking for a new place to have the petition for people to sign.
Gavin Fance - 25 August 2012
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A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORYOn 19 December 1899 the Highbury Barn was sold to Mr. George Baker. At the time there were four Bars; the Parlour Bar, a second Parlour Bar, a Bar and a Tap Room, as well as several other rooms available for use.
The Inn brewed its own Beer and, at the time of sale, the Inventory of items for sale was as follows; 18 gallons Home Brewed Beer 30 gallons XXX 12 gallons OK 43 packets of Cigarettes 17 Cigars 3/4 lbs Tobacco 3 bottles Scotch Whiskey 10 bottles Sherry 1 bottle Peppermint 1 bottle Cloves 1 gallon Rum 1/2 gall Irish Whiskey 3/4 gallon Gin 6 dozen Minerals 1/2 tin of Cakes
The Sale of the Property was secured for the princely sum of £92 5s 5d (about £92.27).
This text, above, is from the original Bill of Sale that is currently available to view in The Highbury Barn.
Tony Harman - 24 August 2012
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