Posted:
4:01 p.m. November 3, 2021
Paints are to replace pints in a pub in the city that has fallen victim to the pandemic.
The honest John of Park Street, Chatteris, obtained planning consent for the change in use of Fenland’s council.
Richard Savage told planners, through his agent, that he had lived there and ran the pub for 34 years.
Five diverse artists exhibiting their work in an exhibition titled, In the Mix, at the Town Hall in March. Richard Savage with one of his paintings.
– Credit: Archant
In 2003 the upstairs was split to form an art studio and he now intends to live downstairs and use the entire upstairs as an art studio.
“Lately the pub has started to struggle and has become financially unsustainable to reopen following the easing of restrictions on Covid 19,†his agent said.
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Since he will continue to live there, the board agreed that a marketing exercise to demonstrate that he had tried to sell it was unnecessary.
The planners felt that this was not necessary “because the pub closure is not due to the proposed change in use, but rather because of a lack of community support for the premises”.
They also felt that by becoming an art studio, the site would continue to “be a different community facility than the pub. ”
“Evidence has been provided regarding the popularity of the art studio and its interaction with the local community.
“While the loss of one pub is regrettable, the continued viability of another local business is considered preferable to its permanent closure.
“The retained art studio will provide continued employment for the owner and ongoing service to the residents of Chatteris and the art community at large.”
The town hall of Chatteris also supported the change of use.
Here are three photos of an exhibition held at the pub in recent years
Art exhibition at Savage Studios at the Honest John pub in Chatteris
– Credit: Archant
Art exhibition at Savage Studios at the Honest John pub in Chatteris
– Credit: Archant
Art exhibition at Savage Studios at the Honest John pub in Chatteris
– Credit: Archant
Planners said parking was sufficient and there had been objections from highways or other bodies consulted.
Mr. Savage has run his art studio for 21 years.
He has published numerous art books and says his goal has always been to welcome and support artists, from beginner to advanced and professional.
Creating a studio that is a “relaxed and happy environment for everyone” has been her goal.
To support the change in use, he showed the board extracts from his cabaret accounts from 2016 to 2019.
