Sadness as Lion and Lamb pub closes its doors in Milton - but search for new publican is on

The Lion and Lamb pub in Milton closed its doors this week – but a new tenant is being sought to take over.

Stonegate Pub Partners said it is looking for “an experienced publican” to manage the 17th-century premises.

In a message to customers, the pub announced it would be closing on Sunday (9 June),

Manager Jason said: “It is with a heavy heart that I have to make this announcement but it's time to put the rumours to rest, after today the Lion and Lamb will be serving its last pints and closing its doors. We would like to thank all our customers for their support and also I would like to thank my whole team for the amazing work they have done through this time! I wish everyone well in the future and just want to say what an amazing and welcoming place Milton has been.”

The pub, known for its food and large beer garden, was previously run from 2006 until January 2023 by Sally and Lawrence Champion.

Pub company Stonegate Pub Partners describe it as a “beautiful village pub, full of character and said it was seeking “an experienced publican” in the food trade.

Alistair Cook, pubs officer at the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) said: “It’s a sad day when any pub closes but I don’t know how permanent the closure is.”

Should the company be unable to find new licensees, he suggested they could put the freehold up for sale to see if somebody else would take it on.

“Pubs are struggling at the moment because of high business rates which are worked out by the amount of space the business takes up, but this means a pub – which may have a large beer garden – could end up paying more than a supermarket, which clearly isn’t right,” he said. “I hope it will reopen. Milton is a large village and close to the Science Park so it has a lot of potential.”