Bladebone Inn closed

Owner Enterprise Inns says it had 'no choice' than to temporarily close Chapel Row pub

THE Bladebone Inn in Chapel Row is temporarily closed.

Enterprise Inns says it was left with 'little option' than to seek a possession order through the courts, but has reassured the community that the popular pub will reopen.

The pub, near The Duchess of Cambridge's family home in Bucklebury, ironically had its last orders on May 2 - the day Kate Middleton gave birth to her second child.

While other pubs in the region were opening their doors to celebrate the arrival of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, the Bladebone was being boarded up while the owners search for a new landlord.

The Bladebone has been recognised nationally for its food, appearing in the Michelin guide and for having the 'Best Scotch Egg in Britain' in .

Kiren Puri, the departing publican,made national headlines in 2013 when he took to Trip Advisor to comprehensively criticise a negative review from a diner.

On May 3, he tweeted: "Thank you to every one who has supported us for the last 3.5 years. The bell is about to ring for the final time in 30 mins. Goodbye.x"

Others have taken to Twitter to express their sadness over the decision to close the pub.

Samantha Wild tweeted on May 2: "Last plates leaving the kitchen. It's been a pleasure @bladeboneinn going to miss it. #EndOfAnEra"

Proprietor of Tutts Clump Cider, Tim Wale, said: "Just had last orders at The Bladebone in Bucklebury and the place is packed, but the furniture is already gone :-("

Tony Girling tweeted the picture above and said: "Bladebone well and truly closed."

A spokesperson from Enterprise said: “Unfortunately the publican's persistent failure to pay rent in recent months gave us little option other than to seek an Order for Possession through the court for the Bladebone Inn.

"We would like to reassure members of the local community in Bucklebury that we are committed to the long term success of their local pub, which is temporarily closed while we carry out some essential repairs, and are actively recruiting for a new Publican to take it on to reopen and trade as soon as possible.”

Mr Puri is planning to respond to the comments.