WELLINGTONS on Folly Hill is set to join the ever-growing number of pubs closing, which includes the recently defunct Ball & Wicket in Upper Hale Road. With falling sales, the owners will call time on Sunday.

The closure of Wellingtons has been on the cards for the past year. In January, 2014, the pub was granted a temporary reprieve after Waverley Borough Council refused planning permission for six new houses.

With 22 objections and only one in support, it wasn’t looking positive for co-owners Peggy and Tim Dunford (who are not related), but with fewer people visiting the pub the business was no longer viable.

Peggy said: “I can’t see the council’s theory on saying we are not going to allow planning because we don’t want to lose an amenity, and yet they are going to lose it anyway because its not going to be a pub - it’s crazy. I thought it was an ideal situation, if someone wasn’t going to buy it as a pub, the best option would be houses.”

Another community pub to face closure was The Ball & Wicket, managed by Jon Wallace, who moved to Farnham from Shropshire with his father, Gary in 1991, when they bought the building. After completely renovating the pub, it soon became a popular part of the community.

In an effort to expand and entice more customers they bought the building next to the pub when it came up for sale, renovated it and turned it into a restaurant to run along-side the bar.

Jon said: “For a time we were quite successful, the community seemed to enjoy the food that was on offer and the atmosphere. At the start of the recession however the numbers began to dwindle, money was tight for everyone and the business began to suffer as a result. Eventually we had no option but to close the restaurant as it was economically inviable to keep it open.

“As the years passed we began to see fewer people through the door and in January 2015, with great regret, we had to consider our other options, in the end we decided that the pub would have to close.”

Regulars were disheartened to hear of its impending closure. Jon however was not ready to give up completely and decided to separate the pub and restaurant, and covert the pub into a residential property and provide a venue in the old restaurant that would offer similar facilities.

The revamped restaurant known as Teddy’s Café Bar, offers a range of hot and cold drinks including alcoholic and food. Jon continued: “We hope to become a valuable asset to the community.

“It was with great regret that we made this decision but it’s well known that the pub-trade is a difficult industry in these times and unfortunately we were no exception to the effects of the recession. The Ball & Wicket will now become a shared five-bedroom house providing affordable housing in the village.”

Peggy, 74, has been in the trade since the age of 18 and owned her first pub at 36. “It is very sad, I’ve been here a long time. We don’t want to shut down, we would have stayed open if people had used it.

“We have a lot of regular customers who don’t even live in Farnham and that’s the sad thing. We know that it’s not staying as a pub, so for me it is mind-boggling who won in the end, certainly the community hasn’t.”

On Saturday, September 12, Peggy and Tim will be holding a memorabilia sale day from 1pm until 7pm, they are also seeking unwanted clothes, shoes or accessories. Half the proceeds raised will go towards Creative Canvas Uganda which supports local children dealing with the loss of one or both parents due to HIV.

Those donating clothes or other unwanted items should do so by September 11, either by dropping them at the pub or at Peggy’s house at 21 Knights Road, Farnham. They should be clearly marked with a name, price and description.