CAMPAIGNERS today voiced their fears for the future of community pubs after another Ipswich watering hole called last orders.

CAMPAIGNERS today voiced their fears for the future of community pubs after another Ipswich watering hole called last orders.

The Blooming Fuchsia in Foxhall Road suddenly closed its doors last week forcing regulars to look elsewhere for their favourite tipple.

Punch Taverns, which owns the pub, said the closure was a temporary measure while a new landlord is found.

A spokesman for the firm said: “Our priority is to reopen the Blooming Fuchsia as soon as possible.

“The previous licensee took the decision to leave the business and we are currently in the process of recruiting a new licensee.”

However, pub champions fear the permanent loss of yet another out-of-town boozer.

Nigel Smith, Suffolk area organiser for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said he was deeply concerned at the recent trend of estate pub closures.

“I have spoken to Ipswich Borough Council about the loss of pubs in the town, especially in outlying areas and the local estates,” he said.

“There is an increasing trend for these pubs to close and be converted into different things.

“If it is a temporary closure it is good news and hopefully somebody else will be running it soon.

“But a lot of these places lack investment in the buildings. Each closure is a major loss for the local community and means people have nowhere to go apart from taking a bus into the town centre.”

The temporary closure of the Blooming Fuchsia follows the loss of The Dales in Dales Road, The Racecourse in Nacton Road and The Kingfisher in Chantry.

Mr Smith urged Ipswich Borough Council to adopt a similar approach to other district councils, encouraging pubs and resisting their closure.

He said in recent talks with Suffolk Coastal District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council he has been heartened by the support to keep pubs open.

“I would like to see the same approach adopted in Ipswich,” he said.

“There are plenty of places to drink in the town centre but the issue is the fact these older community pubs need to be saved - they are the heart of the community spirit.”

Punch Taverns is on the look-out for new tenants at The Blooming Fuchsia - for more information, contact the recruitment team on 0844 8483279.

Are you concerned over pub closures in Suffolk? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

THOSE with concerns over the closure of Suffolk pubs can speak to campaigners at the Ipswich Beer Festival.

The annual event will take place at the Corn Exchange next week, from Wednesday until Saturday.

Drinkers will be celebrating the Darwin-themed event with 200 years of beers with an animal, bird or reptile connection.

There will also be a selection of draught German and Belgian beers and ciders on offer to try.

The opening times are 5pm until 11pm on Wednesday, and from Thursday until Saturday the event will be open from 11am until 11pm.