Blue Boar Inn in Great Ryburgh hits out at pub campaigners

James and Laura Lee, who own the Blue Boar Inn in Great Ryburgh, have broken their silence on the issue of the pub building's fate.

They said in a social media post they were being met with "a lack of care and compassion, which has been very personal and distressing".

An update was posted on behalf of Laura and James Lee regarding their intentions with the premises. (Image: Supplied)
It follows a bid by locals to try and buy the building and reopen it as a community hub.

It is said there had been claims the Lees had tried to run it down - which they say are "hurtful and spiteful".

Mrs Lee's daughter, who has asked not to be named, said on her parents' behalf: "It's still their home, and they are still members of the village who have worked hard to keep it going over the years, sacrificing holidays and time away due to their commitment."

Earlier this year, the owners submitted a pre-planning application to convert the pub into flats in the village near Fakenham.

This prompted a campaign by villagers to buy the property and use it as a community hub. 

Mr and Mrs Lee have since said they would not be converting the property into flats and the pre-application was only an enquiry.

Their daughter said: "For us, we're keeping the bed and breakfast running, which means business as usual.

"We did everything we could to keep the pub going. It's incredibly hurtful and spiteful to hear that my parents tried to run it down, especially coming from people who haven't visited the pub as patrons themselves.

"Pubs aren't sustainable without regular support. Costs have skyrocketed, and the only way we've made money is through the rooms, which have also received complaints from the unincorporated group."

She said: "My parents would like to take the opportunity to thank those that have supported us over the years and through this difficult time, it has not gone unnoticed."

The campaign group, which has renamed to Ryburgh Community (P) Hub, said: "We would still like to purchase the Boar on behalf of the community should it come back to the open market and run it in the same way the village shop is owned and run. 

"In the interim we will endeavour to create a community hub with any money raised being ploughed back into future events."

The group has been campaigning to have the Blue Boar Inn used as a community hub since earlier this year. (Image: Lesley Weston)

History at the Blue Boar

The saga dates back to 2020 when Mr and Mrs Lee worked to keep the business going during the pandemic. 

Their daughter said: "My parents built an outdoor dining area to follow guidelines. Instead of support and village attendance, we received complaints to planning enforcement that led to more expenses for planning permission." 

The pair then hired a singer to attract more patrons to the premises but were then met with more complaints. 

In 2022, the business brought in a tenant to run its operation under a five-year lease.

The daughter added: "Despite her efforts and maintaining high hygiene standards, she faced unfounded complaints about takeaways, rodents and drugs in the car park. 

"After eight months, the tenant eventually left, feeling unsupported and financially strained, saying the business was financially unviable. She mentioned that a nasty Facebook campaign contributed to her decision."

Earlier this year, Mrs Lee submitted a pre-planning application for advice on turning the pub into five flats and two semi-detached homes. 

Talks of the possible conversion rallied together a group to save Great Ryburgh's last pub. 

The group also campaigned for it to become an asset of community value, of which it has been successful. 

However, in July, when the pub was removed from the market, plans for the group to purchase the Grade II listed building and convert it into a community hub were scuppered.

The pub has remained closed, but continues to operate as a bed and breakfast.

Mrs Lee's daughter has said that the owners would be keeping the future of the business under ongoing review.