Blue Vinny pub in Puddletown suddenly closes its doors

The Blue Vinny in Puddletown suddenly closed its doors in a move which has rocked the village- with the nearest pub located miles away in Tolpuddle. 

Writing in the windows say that the pub is closed. Cones have also been placed around the car park entrance with a sign outside saying that the pub is closed.

Owners announced that the pub lease was on the market on their social media back in February, saying that they will keep running until a buyer is found.

The Blue Vinny in Puddletown has been closed (Image: Alfie Lumb) Residents in Puddletown would like to see a pub returned to the village, which once housed five according to locals.

Elderly resident Iris Levins was a long-term user of the establishment before its sudden closure and was told that the closure was due to the pub’s lease being up. She said: “It’s sad to see another pub go.

“I’m not a drinker but I used to go there most weeks for a Sunday lunch as they did such nice food and it’s the only pub here.

A sign outside the Blue Vinny in Puddletown saying that it has been closed (Image: Alfie Lumb) “Speaking as an elderly person, we’re stuck here out here as there is no bus around here on a Sunday.”

Steve Collins, from Puddletown, said: “I was quite surprised when I was told it was closed. I will miss the garden as we used to take our grandchildren down there in the summer.”

Laurian Lindsay, from Puddletown, said: “I’m very sad that it’s closed as now there is just nothing here. I’m hoping that it can be reopen soon.

“I know that in Tolpuddle they did very well to reopen the Martyr Inn as part of a community takeover, I’m hoping the same can be done here.”

Joe Irwin, who lives close to the pub, said: “I’d like to hope it’s reopened soon. We would go down there wherever we could as we used to use the park for the kids. We’d now have to go to the Martyr in Tolpuddle.”

Mary Berry, who has lived in Puddletown for 16 years, said: “We used to go there all the time before it changed hands. I know the owners have tried hard and the pub is on the floodplain.”

The West Dorset branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has said they hope a solution can be found soon. Spokesperson Rich Gabe said " It is always sad to see a pub closed especially one that has always been so vibrant. Any pub loss always effects the local community, hopefully this is only a short term closure."