Village pub saved by last minute buyer after regulars’ online campaign

Last orders were supposed to be called on Monday at The Carpenters Arms, in North Green, Coates, near Whittlesey after the leaseholders went into administration in February.

But landlord Malcolm Carter is still pouring pints after an anonymous buyer from Peterborough walked into the local last week and declared: “I’ve come to buy the pub.”

Mr Carter, who runs the pub with his grandson Marty, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant. People keep ringing up and saying, ‘you’re like a cat with nine lives.’

“I said to my grand-daughter that all I could do was wish for a miracle, and then it happened.”

Regulars had launched an online petition to save their pub and a Facebook campaign attracted more than 200 supporters.

Three separate leaving parties were held as the campaign appeared to have failed, with receivers acting on behalf of Lloyds TSB set to board up the building.

But a buyer came forward just days before the receivers moved in, allowing Mr Carter, to continue as landlord.

Mr Carter, who took over the pub when his wife passed away two years ago, said: “All of a sudden everything just changed for the best. It means so much to me. I will be the landlord again and that’s a title I’m a bit proud of.

“It’s a thriving little pub and it annoyed everybody when it looked like we were closing. All the regulars are back, we are here to stay.

“We’re a lovely pub and we just want everyone to know that we are open for business. We’re busy making plans for halloween.”

The landlord said there were also plans to rennovate the pub’s kitchen and toilets.

Barmaid Tracey Davies said she was relieved that the pub had survived.

“I was planning on looking for another job,” she said. “I came to work last week and there was a man knocking on the door, he just said he was here to buy the pub.

“I told Malcolm straight away and he said to make sure the pub was open and the sign was up outside letting people know.”