The Flying Pig in Cambridge is set for demolition after over ten years of fighting against redevelopment plans. The pub and venue were famous for their links to Pink Floyd, as it was originally visited by the ex-frontman Syd Barrett when the pub was still named The Crown in the late 50s. It is also said that The Crown was the place where Barrett met the future guitarist and singer of Pink Floyd, David Gilmour.

Sadly, the managers Matt and Justine Hatfield recently announced that they have been giving six months to vacate the premises. They have been living above the pub for over 20 years. In a statement on Facebook, they said that they were “deeply saddened to announce that, despite the public outcry and overwhelming love and support for our gorgeous grassroots music venue ad real ale pub, the developer (our landlord) has issued us with 6 months notice to vacate our home and the business premises that is the Flying Pig in October 2021.”

After having raised money through a crowdfunding campaign and thanks to Arts Council cultural recovery grant to face the pandemic, “we were just getting back on our feet, and business was looking healthy with our music back in the garden. We can’t regret a moment of the last 24 years, and as soon as we know what the future holds for us, we will let you know”, they added.

In 2019, thousands signed a petition to save the pub. The plans then changed to keep the site intact, but they now have been rejected. Pace Investments’ chief executive Jonathan Vincent told the BBC: “I’ve spent the last two years working with Justine and Matt, and others, and I was desperate to keep the pub – but that was refused. The only planning consent in place involves the demolition of the Flying Pig – so we either appeal the refused plan, or we go ahead with what has been approved.”

Meanwhile, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters posted the liner notes of “Animals” reissue, claiming that his ex-band member Gilmour wanted them removed because of credit disputes.