Picnic tables stolen from Sussex village pub

Pub manager Vikki Cox said she discovered the theft when she was admiring the roses at the front of The Oddfellows Arms in Pulborough yesterday (Sunday). “I noticed one of the heavy wooden picnic tables was missing,” she said.

“I went out the back and counted those there and noticed that one was also missing from the back patio.”

She described the thefts as ‘a bit gut-wrenching’ after a difficult year.

“People know we’re not open at the moment. I presume they just chanced it.”

The pub, which has been shut since the start of the last lockdown on Christmas Eve, was burgled last year when thieves stole a charity box.

“When we do reopen that’s now two tables we have lost which will costs us £400 to replace,” said Vikki.

She said it was hoped the pub would reopen soon but no fixed date had yet been fixed.