Bake Off star Paul Hollywood slams ‘vindictive locals’ following row over wife’s plans to turn 600-year-old pub into home

BAKE Off star Paul Hollywood has blasted “vindictive locals” following a row over his wife’s plans to turn a 600-year-old pub into a home.

Paul’s wife Melissa was given permission to transform the historic Chequers Inn after a tense planning meeting.

Paul Hollywood with his wife Melissa, a pub ownerCredits: Getty

The couple have been given permission to transform the historic Chequers Inn into a homeCredits: UKNIP

Paul lambasted “vindictive residents” who opposed the plansCredits: BBC

The pub is one of only two remaining in the Kent village of Smarden – and furious locals have declared it a “heritage asset”.

Celebrity baker Paul told the BBC: “The vindictiveness of the locals towards the family who have been here for 18 years is unforgivable.

“If the villagers themselves want to step up and make an offer to buy it, that’s fine.

“At the end of the month it is scheduled to close because they can’t sustain it – there is no money coming in.

“I’m not a charity. It’s a nice pub, but it’s a money-losing business.”

Paul rejected an offer he received for the pub a few months ago, calling it “unrealistic”.

Speaking at the planning meeting, Paul said: “The last six months have shown us the worst in people’s behaviour.”

The Bake Off star added: “The insults and personal attacks have been unforgivable.”

Paul’s representatives have been contacted for comment.

He married pub landlady Melissa last September and is said to have spent more than £80,000 renovating the pub.

The pub was first listed for sale in November 2020 and is still on the market.

Melissa and Paul have used four estate agents since they first listed the property for just under £1million.

The couple first met in a historic pub near Ashford.

Parish councillor Lea Randolph said: “To get more money they want to turn a 14th century Grade II heritage property into a residence.

“This will deprive the village of a pub that has been part of village life for over 600 years.”

But Melissa said the pub’s money problems had devastated her elderly father.

She said: “Ask yourself: would you work 12 to 16 hours a day just to make a loss?

“Would you do it if you were 80 years old and had life-threatening heart disease?”

Councilors voted seven to five to approve the Hollywoods’ request.

Paul and Melissa now have a few years to transform the pub into a private home.

Behind the scenes at Paul and Melissa’s Cypriot wedding

PAUL and pub landlady Melissa got married at a stunning hotel in Cyprus in September last year.

At the time, we reported how the couple reportedly chose to tie the knot in a chapel at the luxury resort.

Paul lived in Cyprus in the 1990s and had previously worked at the venue’s sister hotel as head baker – so the property had a sentimental connection.

They were joined by 75 guests, including his co-presenter and fellow foodie, Prue Leith.

At the time, a source said: “It was a very tasteful and elegant wedding and the hotel management really pulled out all the stops to make it a memorable day.

“There was a very lively party with loud music and lots of alcohol that lasted until late at night.

“Paul is very close to the hotel owners and they made sure everyone had a good time.

“He loves Cyprus and it was a wonderful setting for what was a lovely occasion.”

Paul and Melissa were seen relaxing on the beach ahead of their big day, with the chef flaunting his figure as he stripped down to shorts on the sand.

The Bake Off judge has been dating the landlady since 2019, following his split from Summer Monteys-Fullam.