A pub owned by English cricketer Stuart Broad has had to close after being badly damaged by a “major fire”.
Firefighters were called to the award-winning Tap & Run Country Pub in Upper Broughton, halfway between Nottingham and Melton Mowbray, around 3:20 a.m. Saturday. The fire destroyed the first floor and roof of the pub, co-owned by Broad and former cricketer Harry Gurney.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said the property had been severely damaged, with a roof fire still burning by mid-Saturday morning. In a tweet shortly before 4.30am, the fire service said it had eight fire vehicles at the scene on Main Road, Upper Broughton.
The fire was so fierce that people living nearby were told to keep their doors and windows closed. A statement on the pub’s website said the venue, located halfway between Nottingham and Melton Mowbray, would not be negotiated “in the foreseeable future”.
It was said: “We are devastated to announce that due to a major fire in the early hours of June 11, Tap & Run will not be listed in the foreseeable future.
“We are very sorry not to be able to honor our reservations or accept more reservations. We will keep everyone up to date on social media for the next few weeks.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the effervescence of support. And finally … we’ll be back! Watch this space.”
Upper Broughton Fire Update 👇
🔸 The main road is closed 🔸 We are still fighting a rooftop fire 🔸 The property is badly damaged 🔸 2 fire trucks and our air ladder platform is still present 🔸 Avoid the area pic.twitter.com/CTAckgSMCq
– Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (@nottsfire) June 11, 2022
A post on Tap & Run’s Twitter page read: “We’re heartbroken to see our beautiful pub on fire. Fortunately, no one was injured.”
The venue won the 2021 pub in Leicestershire and has previously been listed in the Times list of Britain’s best places for Sunday lunch in 2022.
Broad, who also plays for Nottinghamshire, is currently playing on the second day of the second Test at Trent Bridge for England against New Zealand.
Sign up for First Edition, our free daily newsletter, every weekday morning at 7:00 BST
His England team-mate James Anderson told Test Match Special: “He’s glad no one was hurt. It’s obviously disconcerting because it’s such a big part of his life and Harry’s.”
Kirit Chauham, who lives nearby, told Leicester Mercury: “Maybe they need to rebuild it and I’m also sorry for all the staff. It’s been a great community pub.
“It simply came to our notice then. It’s a real shame. “