Ovington’s John Stroud wants to convert part of the Four Alls Inn into two homes and move the pub bar back into its pre-1990s position.
But one concerned member of Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) has dubbed the move the “thin end of a dodgy wedge”. A letter circulated by members said: “The remaining ‘micro-pub’ looks a bit puny and hardly likely to generate enough trade for survival, especially as the pub’s brewery presumably will go if it hasn’t already.”
Mr Stroud stressed the Four Alls was remaining open, and offered a withering response to the worries.
“Camra have been quite a mob and they’ve not done themselves any favours,” he said. “They said I was the best thing since sliced bread and suddenly the relationship soured – they have been no help at all in the last six or seven years.
“I sold the brewery in January last year so it’s been gone nearly two years – that shows how much they have their finger on the pulse.”
When it came to Camra’s modern day role, Mr Stroud had some misgivings of his own.
He added: “I think it has lost its way. It used to be about beer but now it’s trying to keep pubs open. It’s been observed a lot of pubs need to shut – is it worse to keep them open?
“However, in this instance it’s not our intention to completely shut the pub – it is to bring it down to a size which is more commensurate with its use.”
The 51-year-old took over the running of the Four Alls 14 years ago providing accommodation, meals and beer for punters. The pub was well known for its Thai food nights and Mr Stroud brewed his own beer. But a slump in revenue and increasing costs have meant a tough few years at the inn.
“In its current format its too big. With just two or three people it’s uncomfortable for them and uncomfortable for us,” said Mr Stroud.
“The days where we fill the pub are over – after 14 years in the business it’s like chalk and cheese.”
In a bid to secure its future, plans have been submitted to the county council to shrink the bar down and back to its original position. He added: “At the moment it is too big and unwieldy – heating, lighting and energy costs are the big bug bears for this place.
“At least by shrinking it down we are cutting our overheads down and making it somewhere more comfortable and cosy. It’s still open for the community to use and that’s the bottom line.”
With his parents moving into sheltered housing, Mr Stroud’s partner, Sam Mason, came up to help him run the Four Alls last year.
Both work long hours to keep all prongs of their business alive, cooking their own food and looking after guests.
Mr Stroud said changing habits and a shifting rural economy had all taken their toll on the pub industry. He added: “We used to do 40 or 50 covers a week but a lot of those people have died.
“We have a new generation coming on – people are paranoid about drink driving and habits have changed.
“We are now down to not talking to one another – everyone is on mobiles texting.”
A decision on the proposal will be made in the new year.
The Four Alls has been in Ovington for about 200 years and was named as early as 1800.
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