Well, I have to apologise once again for not keeping this blog up-to-date. However, as many of you will know by now things have moved on quite a lot with the Duncombe Arms. Back last summer everything ground to a halt with Tom and Inga not running the pub, but not leaving the place either, have had a big falling out with Greene King, the brewery that owned the pub. Not much happening thereafter until the autumn!
In late autumn 2016 the good folk from The Greyhound in Haynes, which is a village just south of Bedford and who also run The Chequers in Stevenage Old Town, took over the running of the Duncombe Arms for what appears to have been a trial period. Things started off reasonably well with food and bar snacks being served, as well as the usual drinks etc. The interim landlords ran the pub itself very well, nice people behind the bar, good beer including guest ale, some nice wines and so forth, as well as good bar snacks. However, by Christmas it was clear that things were not working out and that the kitchen was causing serious problems for everybody. Unsurprisingly, after Christmas a notice made it clear that there was going to be no further food, not even a sandwich at lunchtime.
By now it was clear that Greene King had, for what ever reason, lost interest in running the pub, or at least in investing further in it going forward and that it was likely that it would be closed. The building is Listed, Grade II, so it was unlikely that the Parish Council and Huntingdon District Council would sanction it being sold for conversion to a house. This meant that the most realistic outcome for GK would be to sell The Duncombe Arms as a Free House. This is what ultimately happened and they put the property on the market at a price of £350,000 which was which meant that it was a relatively sure to sell.
To bring you swiftly up to date, the pub is now in the hands of the new owners who are doing a great job in refurbishing, redecorating and generally bringing the pub up to scratch. A new kitchen, new toilets, new flooring/carpets and a long overdue complete redecorate inside and out. The Duncombe Arms is still closed to the public and it is likely that it will open towards the end of June or early July. It is intended, going by notice on the front door, to open as a pub and restaurant. We all wish them well and look forward to having life in the Duncombe Arms once again.
AWM