Community rallies to help micropub after break-in

A family that runs a micropub say they have been "overwhelmed" with support from the local community and businesses following a break-in.

Vandals smashed the front window and stole a charity jar from the Wonky Donkey Pub in Fletton, Peterborough on 20 January.

Since the incident, three other local micropubs - the Bumble Inn, The Frothblowers and the Thirsty Giraffe - have donated £120 for the charity jar and the community has rallied around to encourage a fundraising page for the pub.

Owner Dave Williams said: "This was the worst thing that could have happened to us. But we will recover. This will not stop us."

The pub will be holding a celebration to mark its sixth birthday in the next few weeks.

It regularly hosts fundraising events and charity quizzes and staff have so far raised and donated £35,000 for various city-based organisations.

Mr Williams says many people in the area "rely on this community pub for their social aspect" and described it as a "small pub with a big heart".

"January and February are the worst months for hospitality anyway after the Christmas period. So, this is devastating really.

"You do question it sometimes - is it worth it?

"But you speak to customers and know people rely on us. So, we will keep going.

"The community has been amazing. Everyone has been rallying around to help us. We are overwhelmed."

He said replacing the damaged front window would be an expensive job, adding that the police had been made aware of the incident.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: "An investigation is ongoing but no arrests have been made yet."

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