Lavenham: Villagers angry over TV chef Marco Pierre White’s ban on lager in local pub

The Angel in Lavenham Archant

CELEBRITY chef Marco Pierre White has angered locals at his latest pub – the Angel in Lavenham – by banning their favourite drinks.

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CELEBRITY chef Marco Pierre White has angered a number of locals at his latest pub – the Angel in Lavenham – by banning some of their favourite drinks.

Mr White took over the historic Angel in the picturesque market square just weeks ago. But after his first visit since taking over the 15th Century Angel he pulled the plug on a number of popular draught drinks including lager and cider.

He was apparently not happy after spending an afternoon outside his new acquisition – one of five pubs he bought in East Anglia after the company running them went bust.

It is understood that he was upset to see drinkers sitting outside the pub along with their pet dogs and told staff they could no longer serve draught lager or a special strong Suffolk cider.

Disgruntled former regular Rod Benson, 42, said: “It used to be the most popular place in the village. Locals would sit outside watching the world go by.

“The bar is still there but I don’t feel welcome any more. It’s a great shame because the Angel was the heart of Lavenham.”

Fellow resident Reg Wearn, 28, said: “I have been a regular there for more than 10 years but now I feel effectively barred and unwelcome.

“I used to spend a lot of time and money in the Angel – eating as well as drinking – and I feel appalled at what he’s done.

“Some of us have dogs but they were always well-behaved and we never took them inside the pub. We used to ask for a bowl of water – that’s all.”

Jo Knight, 37, an office manager, said: ”It’s still called a pub but it doesn’t seem to sell much beer.

“A lot of people from the village have used the Angel on a regular basis for years but as it no longer sells drinks like lager and some cider they will have to go somewhere else, which is what many of them have already been forced to do.”

But Mr White has hit back, saying: “When I take over an establishment I see myself as the caretaker. I accept not everyone will agree with my decisions. But I object to swearing, tattoos and dogs sitting on chairs. I am not trying to be difficult – I am thinking of the 98% not the 2%.

“I don’t like Fosters and Strongbow – I like traditional ales and ciders. If they don’t like that then I am sorry. I am putting my money where my mouth is. Had I not taken the Angel over, the reality is that it would have closed.”