Paul Hollywood, the renowned Great British Bake Off judge, has condemned the "unforgivable" criticism surrounding the closure of the Kent pub owned by his wife's family.
Melissa Hollywood, supported by her husband, received permission from Ashford Borough Council on Wednesday to convert the 600-year-old Chequers Inn into a private residence. The decision followed a tense planning meeting where the application faced opposition from some local residents and the Smarden Parish Council, who feared the loss of the village pub as a "heritage asset."
Speaking to BBC South East on Friday, Hollywood voiced his frustration: "The vindictiveness from the locals towards the family who have been here 18 years is unforgivable." He explained that his wife's family had been seeking to sell the pub as a going concern, but had been unable to find a suitable buyer.
"They received an offer a few months ago which was not realistic," Hollywood stated. "If the villagers themselves want to get their act together and put in a bid to buy it, thatâs fine. But at the end of the month itâs earmarked to close because they cannot sustain the business."
The celebrity baker also revealed the pub has been struggling financially despite significant investments in renovation and a new car park. "I'm going to have to step in and help them out, personally, but I'm not a charity," he explained. "I have given a substantial amount of money to turn it into what it is now. It is a beautiful pub but it is a business that is losing money."
Melissa Hollywood, who ran the pub for 16 years and inherited it from her father, Glenn Spalding, addressed the planning committee, stating that the pub's declining trade and financial struggles had forced her family to close it. She described the past six months as a period of "unforgivable" personal attacks and insults from local residents.
The pub, listed as Grade II, was first put up for sale in November 2020 with an asking price of just under £1 million. Despite being listed with four different estate agents, no buyer has been found.
Lea Randolph, from Smarden Parish Council, argued that converting the historic pub into a residence would be a "loss of a pub that has been part of village life for over 600 years." However, Ashford councillors acknowledged the owners' attempts to sell the pub as a business.
A visibly emotional Melissa Hollywood highlighted the strain the financial difficulties have placed on her elderly father, who suffers from a life-threatening heart condition. "Ask yourself," she pleaded to the committee, "would you work a 12-16 hour shift every day just to make a loss, and would you do it if you were 80 years old with a life-threatening heart condition?"
Ultimately, the council voted seven to five in favour of approving the application, granting Melissa Hollywood and her family several years to complete the conversion of the pub into a private residence.
