Campaigners make urgent plea to investors to help re-open Peterborough pub

The Save The Cherry Tree Pub campaign group held a public meeting on Monday where it became clear they could not raise the funds to submit a bid for the former watering hole in Oundle Road, Woodston.

But residents are remaining defiant and are making an urgent plea to potential investors to step forward and put in an offer to Milton Estates, with a promise that they will give them their full backing should they pledge to reopen the pub’s doors for the first time since 2016.

Campaigner Marija Obradovic said: “We have now changed our direction. As we can’t buy it we felt the answer would be to appeal to prospective investors to buy the Cherry Tree and land and reopen it once more as a pub. This is now our sole focus and it is what we all want. This decision was unanimous.

“We have decided to continue as a campaign group as we all feel the Cherry Tree pub is too important to lose as it is a building of local importance which has stood the test of time over the last 200 years. It’s the gateway into Woodston.

“Seeing this building come back to life would be the start of something positive and hopefully would attract more visitors coming into the area, spending money, which in turn would regenerate Oundle Road and local businesses.

“We can’t buy the pub, but our campaign group will support the investors who do if their intentions are to bring back the pub. The successful bidder can be confident in knowing the re-opening will be a success and the campaign group will be right behind them.”

Marija said Monday’s meeting had delivered a “reality check” after it became clear the costs required were too much.

She added: “It’s not just about buying the pub and land for £400,000 plus VAT, we would also need to raise around £60,000 to refurbish the pub in just six months.”

It was revealed last week that there are many people interested in purchasing the site, with a preferred bidder having been identified.

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