Ely Residents Rally Against Plans to Convert Historic Pub into School Staffroom
Residents in Ely, Cambridgeshire, are expressing fierce opposition to a proposal that would see a cherished Grade-II listed pub transformed into a staffroom for a private school. The Fountain Pub, one of only two remaining pubs in the city, has been serving drinks since its construction as a drinking establishment in 1830. However, it now faces the threat of permanent closure after a local property consultancy firm submitted a planning application on behalf of King's Ely school to repurpose the building into a common room for its teachers.
School's Justification and Community Backlash
King's Ely, a private school with fees of £32,000 per year, contends that The Fountain is "no longer viable" as a pub. The school's statement highlights that the establishment operates on a "very limited basis" with "substantially reduced hours" and employs no staff beyond the landlord. They argue that extended hours would not generate additional trade where none currently exists. Furthermore, the school claims it needs a staffroom because teachers "do not have time to walk" to and from the existing facility, which is approximately a three-minute stroll from the main teaching block.
In stark contrast, local residents have mobilized a campaign to save the historic boozer. Joe Moor, a 41-year-old campaigner, described the plans as "nothing short of colonisation" and has urged East Cambridgeshire District Council to reject the application. Another angry local labeled the potential transformation an "act of vandalism" and a significant loss for Ely, a city with a population of around 20,000 people.
Historical Significance and Viability Concerns
The Fountain Pub has been owned by local property developer John Borland since 1996, but he is now prepared to sell. Bidwell's, the consultancy handling the application, noted this in their submission. Previously, in 2021, Borland attempted to convert the pub's downstairs bar into a flat, but the application was refused due to concerns about "the loss of a community facility."
Residents argue that the pub's current struggles are due to "poor management" rather than inherent unviability. They point out that the pub frequently closes early and is run "erratically," yet it occupies a prime location on a green with an outdoor license, in what is described as "one of the most appealing parts of Ely." One campaigner emphasized, "A pub being underused or poorly run is not the same thing as a pub being incapable of succeeding." So far, 19 residents have submitted objections to the council, advocating for the pub to be designated as an asset of community value.
Broader Context of Pub Closures
This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of widespread pub closures across Britain, driven by rising costs for food, energy, and labour. In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £300 million support package for pubs, including a 15% discount on business rates, following backlash from the hospitality sector. However, industry groups like UKHospitality warn that without similar measures for other businesses, more cafes, restaurants, and hotels may be forced to shut down.
Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, noted in January that hospitality businesses face growing cost challenges, with four closures per day in the last quarter of 2025, underscoring the sector's heavy tax burden.
The planning application opposes the idea of the pub as a community asset, stating, "The proposal would not result in the loss of a community facility. Rather, it would facilitate the continued use of the building in support of an established community institution, consistent with the objectives." As the debate continues, the future of The Fountain Pub hangs in the balance, with residents determined to preserve its nearly 200-year legacy for the sake of history and community cohesion.
