PuB’s lAst night ‘fElt likE my own wAkE’

Well known pub rings for last orders for the last time

The landlady of the Cherry Tree pub which has closed its doors for the final time has said it ‘broke her heart’ to stop trading – and blamed people staying in watching reality TV for the closure. The pub on Oundle Road in Woodston rang last orders with a gig by Austin Gold on Thursday night.

Janet Goldswain, who has run the pubfor four and a half years said the last night was like ‘being at her own wake.

She said: “It wasn’t a difficult decision butit wasaheart breaking decision.

“I didn’t want to close, but when it is not making enough money to keep ticking over, you don’t have much choice.

“I think people wanttostay in andwatchreality TVnowat home.

“When you are open all evening for five or six people coming in, you cannot stay open. You have business rates, council tax, wages, utilities, stock and rent - all these things to pay.

“People really are not supporting their local pub any more.

“I held a quiz for Sue Ryder recently. I put posters up, did flyersandIthoughtthepeople of Woodston would come out andsupportit. Weonlyhad30 people in.

“I was really gutted we didn’t get more people in.”

Janetsaidshefearedthelocal pub would soon become a thing of the past, as more and more closed down.

She said: “I think it is a dying trade. You can’t really do the ‘CrowntoTown’anymore, because there are hardly any pubs there.

“You see a lot of modernised pubs, with screens on – they are not ‘local’ pubs. We had good staff, good beer, good music and a good atmosphere – a proper traditional, old fashioned pub.

“A lot of people came out last night to say cheerio. Austin Gold were fantastic, but theatmospherewasabitsombre. It felt a bit like being at my own wake – no-one wanted to come and say a word.

“I have a young family, and for the first time tonight we’ll be curled up on the sofa with chocolate digestive biscuits watching rubbish on telly.

“People need to support their local pubs. People often say they would like to run a pub. I’ve loved every minuteof it, but it is very difficult to do.”

Janet said it was likely that the pub would remain empty for some time, but it was possible someone might open it again soon.

The Cherry Tree pub