Time set to be called on Duchess of Cambridge's local pub - exclusive
John Haley, the landlord of The Old Boot Inn at Stanford Dingley, near Bucklebury, has applied for planning permission to turn the historic Grade II listed building into residential accommodation for his own use.
He says that the pub is no longer commercially viable but it is still currently open for business.
The Middleton family have famously been frequent visitors to the pub over the years and the Duchess of Cambridge and her husband Prince William have also shared a meal together there.
In 2011, Mr Haley told a national paper: “We’re used to seeing Kate in the pub. The first time she and William came in it was nerve-racking but you soon realise they’re just a normal couple.”
In an interview with the Newbury Weekly News later in the same year, he said that he had been “lucky enough to get to know the Middleton’s.”
However, speaking to the Newbury Weekly News this week, he said: “There are too many pubs in and around the village.
“It just isn’t viable anymore. I’ve been here 18 years now. We’ve put the plans in and will just see what happens. That’s all there is to say really.”
News of the plans was met with sadness from local resident Andy MacKenzie, who said: “The Old Boot Inn is a valuable village community asset and would be greatly missed.
“The unique character of Stanford Dingley would be irrevocably harmed if this application were approved. The pub is well used and famed for royal patronage. The pub is viable with all other pubs in the general area appearing to be thriving.”
Stanford Dingley Parish Council said it would first ask the views of local residents before commenting on the plans.
Mr Haley hit the national headlines in 2011 when he was one of the West Berkshire residents to be personally invited to the Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey by the family.
He then dashed from London back to Stanford Dingley to host a Royal wedding party at the pub the same night.
On the pub’s website, it describes being thrust into the media spotlight following the wedding, saying: “In the weeks leading up to the wedding, The Boot experienced a frenzy of activity, with visits from press and media from around the world.”
John and his partner were even included in a Royal Wedding edition of the Top Trumps card game.
The pub was the second stop on ‘The Kate Middleton Tour’ run by Hampshire based coach travel firm Mortons to show people places where the Duchess has visited - and according to a celebrity news website, the Royal couple were spotted at the pub as recently as last month.
The Old Boot Inn has long been a part of village life, with several events held at the venue.
In 2011, the pub hosted a concert for local postman Ryan Naylor, who was sacked after almost 20 years in the job.
Mr Haley’s venture from London publican to the owner of a rural West Berkshire pub was also the inspiration for the feature length film ‘Love’s Kitchen’, which starred Hollywood actors Dougray Scott and Simon Callow.
There are five other pubs within a three mile radius of The Old Boot Inn.
They are the Bull Inn in Stanford Dingley, The Bladebone Inn in Chapel Row, The Cottage Inn in Upper Bucklebury, the Queens Head in Bradfield and the Six Bells at Beenham.