Campaigners hope to save Peterborough pub but ‘several buyers interested’

Former regulars Marija Obradovic and Annie Skelton have just two weeks to hope for a miracle - that a backer will come along who is willing to put up £400,000 to save the closed and shuttered Cherry Tree in Oundle Road.

Fears locally are that it will be bulldozed for development. With a deadline of March 15 rapidly approaching Marija (55) who first visited the Cherry Tree with her parents as a child and played in the beer garden, admitted it looked impossible to raise the huge sum required to save the once-thriving local.

But, she was sure of one thing - “I can see the community supporting it strongly if it can be saved.”

Woodston residents, and fans across the city, were devastated when it called last orders in 2016. Proof of which lies in hundreds of members joining Marija and Annie’s Facebook group ‘Save The Cherry Tree pub.’

Even at the 11th hour, the two campaigners are not giving up because Marija and her husband Paul successfully saved the nearby Swiss Cottage pub, which they have re-named Charlie’s, after what they call another “uphill struggle.”

If a backer can be found they would have six months to put together a business plan which the owners Fitzwilliam Estates would have to give the thumbs-up.

The fight to save the pub has been backed by local Labour council candidate Imtiaz Ali who said: “This is my way of giving back to the ward. It’s the fight of the small man versus the big man.”

Marija agreed saying: “It’s important the Cherry Tree pub is reopened. Milton Estates has always known what Annie and I wanted to achieve for the local community. I feel they should revisit their decision to sell the Cherry Tree and lease it once more as a pub even if it does require a lot of work”

Julian Welch, of estate agents Barker Story Matthews, who are handling the sale confirmed there was ‘significant interest.’

There have been over 60 queries made and many have viewed the property.

Robert Dalgliesh, Chief Agent to the Fitzwilliam Estates said: “Milton has taken the view that the site should be sold so it can be regenerated. A potential purchaser has been identified, but a deal can only be progressed once the local community have been given the opportunity to negotiate in accordance with provisions of the Localism Act 2011.”

“Notwithstanding the potential purchaser, Milton has put the site on the open market.”

Meanwhile Marija and Annie have not given up hope - yet!