Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood and wife Melissa splash more than £80,000 in bid to save her family’s pub
PAUL Hollywood and his wife Melissa have splashed more than £80,000 of their own cash in a bid to save her family’s pub.
The Great British Bake Off judge met his missus while she was landlady of Grade II-listed boozer The Chequers Inn.
But her family claim it is no longer financially viable and instead want to turn it into a private residence.
Nearly 50 furious locals objected when plans for the boozer in Smarden, Kent, were recommended for approval earlier this year — only for a planning committee to defer its decision.
Mrs Hollywood, 39, was supported by her 58-year-old husband at a council meeting over the fate of the pub on Wednesday.
She told Ashford Borough Council: “I have personally given £40,000 of my personal savings, as has my husband.
“My parents have given considerably more.
“The Chequers is dying on its feet.
“Local trade is not enough to support it.
“The pub made substantial losses last year and the turnover is down £88,000 for the first quarter of this year.
“Daily opening can’t be sustained.”
Locals hope to raise £825,000 to buy the 14th-century coaching inn through the Smarden Community Pub group.
Russ Phipps, 60, one of seven members, told the meeting: “The inn has been a real lifeline to many villagers and offers something completely different to the village.
“Please save our inn.”
Tory councillor Kayleigh Brunger-Randall added: “There’s clearly enough local support for the business to continue if allowed to do so.”