Bid launched to save Sir Henry Royce pub in Peterborough city centre from closing in February

The Sir Henry Royce on Broadway faces an uncertain future after the Craft Union Pub Company, tee brewery which runs the pub, decided against renewing its lease.

This means that the pub could be closed as soon as the beginning of February and it has already appeared as available to let on the Savills website.

Operator Michelle Young has described the situation as “heartbreaking” and is currently trying to do all she can to save the pub and bring it into family ownership.

Michelle, who has worked at the pub for the last three years, said: "I’ve been told I can find another pub but they are all miles away. I thought about it and decided I don’t need to go and find another pub. I’ve had conversations with family and friends and decided that there is nothing to lose.

"Time isn’t on my side. I’ve got to find the first year of the lease, costs for decorating, stock and potentially furniture as everything is owned by the brewery. Our goal is £80,000, which will demonstrate to Savills that this pub has real backing and a viable future."

If Michelle is successful in raising the required funds, she has big plans for the place, including live music and other big scale events, such as charity nights.

Most importantly though, Michelle has said that she wants to save the pub for the community, which provides a vital place of safety and support for both the older and younger generation.

She added: “It’s heartbreaking. It’s not the fact I will be out of a job. This is not just a job for me, I am very, very passionate about this place and my customers. I am here seven days a week and it’s not just a place for pulling pints. People come here for safety, to talk about their lives if they’re feeling down, and some even call me mum. It has turned into a real community pub.

"I want to give the place a facelift and make it a nice place to come to for everyone. We’d like to keep the place as a sports bar because a lot of the locals like to come in and watch the horse racing and other sports.”

To support efforts to save the Sir Henry Royce, visit www.gofundme.com/f/save-our-pub-keep-the-heart-of-our-community-alive.