Police hunt after landlords disappear
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by police after thousands of pounds worth of fixtures and fittings were reportedly stolen from a popular Suffolk pub.
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by police after thousands of pounds worth of fixtures and fittings were reportedly stolen from a popular Suffolk pub.
The Shannon Inn, in Bucklesham, was closed for business this week as officers carried out inquiries into the alleged theft.
It is understood police were called in by the owners of the pub, Punch Taverns, although the company has refused to comment on the situation.
A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: “We are investigating an allegation of theft from a public house on the main road in Bucklesham which was reported to us on Tuesday.
“The alleged crime is believed to have occurred on Sunday or Monday.”
Several thousand pounds of furniture and fittings were allegedly taken from the pub which is believed to have been run by husband and wife team Paul and Charlotte Freeman since 2005.
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The Evening Star was unable to contact Mr Freeman or his wife and the pub's website, www.shannoninn.tv, was suspended.
Residents in Bucklesham said they knew the pub had closed but were not aware of the circumstances.
Mick Doncaster who runs a nearby repair garage, said: “They moved in there and did a total makeover in there.
“They made it into a really nice bistro place and clearly spent a lot of money on it.
“They did a nice job on it and it was popular.
“Before that it was just an old village pub - nothing fancy.”
Mr and Mrs Freeman made the news last May when they came up with a novel idea of allowing customers to see how their food was coming along.
They installed a webcam in the kitchen and placed a TV on the bar to allow people to keep an eye on the progress of their meal.
Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact police Pc Marcus Dale at Felixstowe police station on 01473 613500.
