The last pub serving pints in a Huntingdonshire village has announced it is closing – and the community is taking steps to get it protected from future development. 

The current tenants of the Stukeley Country Hotel, in Great Stukeley, have announced on their Facebook page that they are leaving on April 1.  

But the village community is keen for the pub to be listed as an Asset of Community Value because they feel it should remain as a social hub for the community. 

Earlier this month, over 40 residents attended a packed parish council meeting where councillors voted in favour of initiating the application process. 

John Dempsey is a Great Stukeley resident and a spokesperson for a group set up to explore options for the project.  

He said: “After the Three Horseshoes closed, the Stukeley Country Hotel has been our last pub in the village. 

“Our nearest pub is probably The Manor House at Alconbury which is a good couple of miles away or otherwise you’d have to travel into the centre of Huntingdon for a drink. 

“We have no other facilities here, no village shop, no post office... Losing the pub as well would be a huge loss. 

“It needs to be protected.” 

A community group can nominate buildings or other areas of land to be included in Huntingdonshire District Council’s list of Assets of Community Value.  

The asset should contribute to the community’s social well-being or social interests.  

If the application is successful and the asset comes up for sale or lease, a community group can register their interest as a potential bidder.  

Cllr Pete Digby, from Great Stukeley Parish Council, said: “The impressive turn out at the parish council meeting sent a clear message that this matters to our community."

Huntingdonshire District Council says it has received the nomination and will be contacting its owners Stonegate in due course. 

Stonegate has been approached for comment.