A pub in Bracknell is losing customers due to neighbours being moved to replace flat blocks that were built out of crumbling concrete.
The Newtown Pippin in Ralph’s Ride pub serves neighbours in Harmans Water, serves food, hosts live music and community events.
It has won the accolade of being the Campaign for Real Ale’s ‘Pub of the Year’ for three years running from 2023 to 2025.
But the pub is currently struggling with a lack of trade as neighbours in Hambleden Court and Hurley Court have been moved prior to the potential demolition of both buildings.
The pub management team wrote: “Like many local businesses, we’re having a really difficult time right now.
“We’ve lost around 75 per cent of the residents from the flats opposite, which has had a huge impact on our trade.
“As a result, we’ve had to stop serving lunches on a Tuesday so far with a view to cancelling them all together next year and if things don’t improve, we may not be able to stay open long-term.
“If you enjoy having a local pub, please support us when you can — whether that’s popping in for a drink, bringing friends, or sharing this post. Every bit truly helps.
“Thank you to everyone who continues to support us — it means more than you know.”
The dip in trade for The Newtown Pippin has taken place as social housing tenants in Hambleden Court and Hurley Court have been moved out ahead of demolition.
Both buildings are set to be replaced as ‘crumbling concrete’, officially known as Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was used for the structures of the blocks.
The flats were managed as council homes by Silva Homes, and have been taken over by the housing association Abri when it acquired Silva in October 2023.
Abri has plans to replace Hambleden Court and Hurley Court, which total 72 flats, with 106 new energy-efficient homes.
There are currently 50 Abri-owned properties and 22 leaseholder properties, which Abri is in the process of buying back.
The relocation of residents to other homes run by Abri has begun.
In March, the housing association announced that it hoped to relocate residents as soon as possible to enable the project.
An Abri spokesperson said: “We want our existing customers to be rehomed in a quality, affordable home as quickly as possible.
“Therefore, we are currently in the process of moving customers into permanent homes in other local Abri homes.
“We don’t envisage there will be a need to move current customers back into the new development.”
No plans for the replacement homes can be found on the council’s planning portal at present.
Plans were submitted for the replacement of insulation at Hambleden Court and Hurley Court in 2022, but were withdrawn in June last year.
