HAVE you heard the one about the haunted Peterborough pub which had a problem serving spirits – well, this time it's true!
The spooky Eight Bells in Millfield is set to be turned into an office block.
The historic pub has been at the heart of community life for the past 50 years, hosting hundreds of live music gigs and serving thousands of thirsty drinkers.
The loc
al, in Lincoln Road, was once named as one of Britain's most haunted inns after bar staff reported seeing a host of spooky apparitions, including a ghostly monk, a mysterious woman and a moving bar stool.
And locals were also terrified of the pub's "seat of death", a cursed chair which regulars refused to use as three customers had met untimely deaths soon after using it.
Today, city punters were disappointed to discover the pub, which closed earlier this year, will soon be transformed into offices.
Plans have been submitted by owner, auditors AA & Co, to Peterborough City Council, seeking to convert it into offices and build a two-storey extension.
Secretary of the city's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Harry Morten said: "This was an excellent local pub, which was the heart of the community for many people.
"These plans might bring the premises back into use, but it spells the end for the Eight Bells.
"We are now losing about 50 community pubs each month in the UK.
"People have to realise that when they are gone, they are not coming back. We simply do not build this type of pub any more.
"Many of the locals from the Hand on Heart pub moved there when it closed, so this is a double blow for them."
Helen O'Connell, who ran Irish dancing and folk music evenings at the pub, added: "I have some very fond memories of the Eight Bells, and we were regular customers.
"Its punters were from a mixture of age groups because you had the live music and also dancing classes and everyone got along.
"With the dance classes and Irish music evenings, it was also a cultural centre, as well as the social hub of Millfield.
"On the music nights, we'd have 10 to 15 musicians playing together and we'd get about 25 dancers on our dance nights.
"We'd dance in the bar and be mingling with the other customers, there was a great atmosphere.
"It's a shame that it's turning into an office block because we are losing so many venues where live music and these community events can take place."
A spokesman for estate agent Baker Storey Matthews, which is putting forward the plans, was unavailable for comment.
