TV personality Paul Hollywood has labelled the criticism of his wife and her family as "unforgivable" following their decision to convert their pub into a house. Melissa Hollywood, the wife of the Great British Bake Off judge, reportedly announced plans to close down the Grade-II listed Chequers Inn in Smarden, Kent, by the end of August due to dwindling business. She has faced backlash after receiving approval from Ashford Borough Council's planning committee to transform the 600-year-old property into a home.
The proposal, submitted in January, was met with resistance from locals and Smarden Parish Council who were concerned that the loss of the pub, considered the "heart of the village", would "conflict with the aims of promoting the economy", according to planning documents. READ MORE: Lewis Capaldi buys snacks for gobsmacked fans during cinema trip "The vindictiveness from the locals towards the family who have been here 18 years is unforgivable," Hollywood told BBC South East. After the council planning meeting, Hollywood revealed that his wife's family had intended to sell the pub as a business but had only received unrealistic offers.
He said: "If the villagers themselves want to get their act together and put a bid in and buy it, that's fine. At the end of the month it's earmarked to close because they cannot sustain the money that's coming in because there's no money coming in." The 58-year-old added that the business was failing despite tens of thousands being spen.