Harry Potter and Strictly stars again bid to save lots of iconic ‘haunted’ pub susceptible to closure
EXCLUSIVE: 300-year-old boozer the King’s Arms in Polebrook, Northamptonshire, is at risk of closing down, with a local campaign to save it attracting the support of many celebrities
The King’s Arms is at risk of closure(Image: Kieron Maughan)
A “haunted” UK pub has seen celebrities flock to its cause after it faced the threat of closure. The King’s Arms in Polebrook, Northamptonshire, has functioned for over 300 years, with rockers like Cream’s Ginger Baker often passing underneath its thatched roof.
Like many boozers, the establishment is struggling financially due to rising taxes and operating costs. A celebrity-backed local campaign run by local punters has seen nearly £450,000 raised since January.
“I’m not even entertaining the possibility of not reaching the target [of £650,000],” Kieron Maughan, who leads the Save the King’s Arms campaign, told the Daily Star.
Kieron Maughan is desperate to save his local from closing(Image: Kieron Maughan)
“This venture is one of the first of its kind in the UK”, he added. “Like many in Polebrook, we enjoy a good pint in good company.”
In recent weeks, the campaign has won public support from a series of famous names such as chef Tom Kerridge, who asked people to “dig deep, because rural pubs are what keep us all going”.
Following a meeting at the village hall in January, local residents now hope to buy it back through a not-for-profit business known as a charitable community benefit society – if they reach the financial milestone.
Actors like Jim Broadbent have pledged their support for the King’s Arms (Image:
UK Press via Getty Images
)
Other celebrity backers include Mobland actor Anson Boon, Strictly star Craig Revel Horwood, singer Paul Young and presenters Charlie Boorman and Fenella Fudge.
Harry Potter star Jim Broadbent posted a video saying the “wonderful” King’s Arms “has been around for 300 years and will hopefully be around for another 300 with your help”.
Maughan admitted that, besides the pub’s “incredible boost to the community”, there was “certainly something going on” with the spirits of the ancient pub – and we don’t mean the ones that get you drunk.
“We’ve had someone who knows about the supernatural come and take a look,” said Maughan. “They just looked at it and went ‘yep – there’s something going on in there’. I mean, if you have a pub that’s 300 years old, there’s going to be something, isn’t there?”
