Buck Inn  to close

Letter to villagers, locals and visitors from Phil Topps - 18th August 2011

It is with very great sadness that I am announcing that we are leaving The Buck after just a few short weeks. Despite many e-mails, telephone calls and letters we have failed to get any definite timescales for any work to be done at the Buck from Criterion Asset Management. We are currently working in a premises with a completely defective fire alarm system, a roof that is leaking so badly that every single bedroom has been affected by running water, a kitchen in which the ceiling has been removed but the rotten and leaking flat roof has not been replaced allowing water to run freely over live electrics and a required asbestos survey has yet to be carried out.

The last e-mail I received from the buildings services contact at Criterion informed me that his team were in daily contact with the Buck (not true) and that they would attend to the flat roof when "better weather" arrives. Even though Criterion have failed to address any of these problems they still expect us to sign a tenancy agreement with them that bears no resemblance to the agreements we reached when we decided to take on the Buck. Not only is this completely unethical it is illegal as they have not provided us with fire and other safety certificates required by law.

Since we took the keys to the Buck we have been shown the very warmest of welcomes and we have made some wonderful new friends. Friends that we intend to stay in touch with, indeed myself and Geoff intend to return here soon for a few days break. The fact that we have been put in this position by Criterion Asset Management has made us feel anger, frustration, immense sadness and disbelief and I now fear for the future of this wonderful old building, a building that deserves far better treatment than it has received from Criterion.
 
On a personal note Geoff and I would love to see as many of you as possible tomorrow (Friday 19th) so we can personally thank you for your support albeit all too brief. Friday will be our last day in Buckden as we have to attend a family wedding on Saturday and Barry will be here to open up. We intend to cease trading on Sunday evening (21st). We will also be reducing the price of all keg and cask products to £2.40 per pint and draught wines to £2 per 175ml glass and £3 per 250ml glass while our stock lasts.
 
Once again thank you all for your support, your welcome and your friendliness. You have a wonderful community here and that alone has made this decision so difficult. I can only hope that Criterion see sense and sell the freehold of the Buck so that someone who truly cares about this magnificent building will be given a chance to return it to its former glory.
 
I hope to see as many of you as possible on Friday.

My very best regards and warmest wishes to you all,

Phil Topps