Elgoods calls for reform after pub left in ruin — but hope returns with new tenants

The King of Hearts public house at West Walton is set to enjoy a new lease of life after more than a year of uncertainty and damage left the much-loved village pub in ruin. Independent Wisbech brewery Elgood & Sons Ltd has confirmed that Claire and Dan Smethurst, well-known locally as the couple behind the popular Route 47 Steak House at Thorney Toll, have taken on the tenancy and are already hard at work restoring the pub to its former glory.

The King of Hearts has stood at the heart of West Walton for generations, but in recent years the building had fallen into disrepair following what Elgood’s described as a “deeply troubling” tenancy dispute.

In a frank statement, Elgood’s Estates Manager Robin Hotson laid bare the challenges the brewery faced in regaining possession of the pub and the shocking condition it was left in.

“Our tenants stopped paying rent and refused to leave the property, stating they had nowhere else to go,” Mr Hotson wrote. “Despite this being a business tenancy, the local council advised them to remain in place until formally evicted, knowing full well that eviction is a long, expensive and distressing process.”

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According to Elgood’s, the ordeal dragged on for more than 14 months. During that time, the tenants continued to occupy the premises without paying rent or bills. Access to the site was restricted, leaving the brewery powerless to intervene even as the property deteriorated.

“When I arrived on the agreed day to collect the keys,” Mr Hotson continued, “I found the pub unlocked, the back doors open, no keys returned, and the building full to the rafters with rubbish. Worse still, the tenant had deliberately spread pet food and corn throughout the premises to attract rats and mice. The pest controller described it as the worst infestation he had ever encountered.”

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The damage was extensive. Floors had to be ripped out due to contamination, sanitary ware was missing, and parts of the ceiling had collapsed after leaks went unrepaired. “This was a malicious act of vandalism,” said Mr Hotson. “The cost of repairs will run into many thousands of pounds, on top of unpaid rent and bills — a devastating blow to any business.”

The experience, he added, highlighted a wider problem in landlord-tenant law. “This case starkly illustrates how current legislation leaves landlords powerless to protect their properties from tenants who exploit the system. We had no right to remove them, even as the damage mounted week after week. It is time for serious reform.”

Yet despite the damage, there is now fresh hope for the King of Hearts. Claire and Dan Smethurst, whose Route 47 Steak House has become a favourite stop on the A47 between Wisbech and Peterborough, collected the keys in September and immediately began the mammoth task of cleaning and clearing the pub.

In a social media post, Claire wrote: “We have just got the keys to the King of Hearts and are starting to clear it out. It’s a huge job and we welcome help! Dan and I intend to move above the pub and do our best to bring it back to life.”

She added that the couple plan to open the first weekend in November. “We have a lovely business with home-made food and great staff who are looking forward to being part of the community,” she said. “Bear with us if there are bonfires or rubbish in the car park — the pub is full of rubbish!”

Mr Hotson praised the couple’s determination and the outpouring of community support. “Our heartfelt thanks go to Claire and Dan and to the many local residents who have volunteered their time to help clean, clear and restore the pub,” he said. “The incredible community spirit and hard work shown have turned a difficult time into a hopeful new beginning for The King of Hearts — ready once again to take its place at the heart of West Walton.”