Marco Pierre White sells village pub after boycott by locals
Marco Pierre White has reportedly closed his gastro pub in Wiltshire after staff walked out and locals boycotted the 'expensive' eatery.
The chef, who bought the Pear Tree Inn in 2011, was accused of turning Whitley residents' local pub into a posh London restaurant.
According to The Times, there was just a single manager left working at The Pear Tree Inn earlier this month after staff resigned over his bossy management style.
Locals stopped visiting after food became too expensive and there were long queues at the bar.
Local councillor Terry Chivers, a regular at the pub for more than 20 years, told the Daily Telegraph: "What I've been told by a good source is that the lease has been sold.
"Over the last week everything has been removed and the whole place has been gutted.
"All the staff have gone and there has been no attempts made to replace them. I don't think Marco will be missed in the slightest around here."
Regulars said local beers were replaced with a large selection of wine and draught lagers were replaced with an expensive bottled lager. The rooms at the hotel were also criticised for costing up to £170 per night.
The Pear Tree Inn's website reads: "CLOSING FOR THE SUMMER PERIOD during which time we will be carrying out re-furbishments.
"We are planning to reopen at the end of September..."
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