The landlady of a Chesham pub has spoken out after a car careered into the pub destroying part of its newly renovated outdoor space just one day after it reopened.

Pat Miller, who runs The Griffin, in Bellingdon Road, with her husband Steve, told the Bucks Free Press the pair were devastated with the incident, which happened after what has been a “horrible” year for publicans.

It comes after a car “racing” along the road on Tuesday evening (April 13) tried to overtake a driver indicating to turn towards the pub – but instead, ended up hurtling into the pub’s outdoor space, where diners were enjoying their evening meal.

Mrs Miller said: “The car was coming so fast.

“After seeing the aftermath, I am so relieved that no-one was injured. It could have been much, much worse.”

The hospitality industry has been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic and various lockdowns, with pubs having to close for months at a time and fork out thousands of pounds to become Covid-safe.

Pubs, cafés and restaurants were finally allowed to reopen for outdoor dining on Monday (April 12), along with non-essential retail, hairdressers, gyms and nail salons.

Mrs Miller added: “It has been a hard enough year as it is – not just for us but for all publicans and the whole of the hospitality trade.

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“We’ve just opened, having to tell people they have to sit outside and then this happens.

“The car was speeding so fast, there’s no way it could have stopped in time.

“It careered across the pavement and straight into our pub. It took our entire fence out at the time.”

Mrs Miller explained someone had been eating at the table the car struck and, thankfully, had left a little while before the incident happened.

She also told the BFP it was lucky no-one was injured.

She said: “I dread to think what could have happened if it was worse.”

She claims the driver stopped and got out but did not apologise or go over to see if anyone was hurt, and “quietly walked off” when they could.

She also thanked Chesham Fire Station for sending crews to help in the aftermath, adding: “A big thank you to them. They all came out when they heard.

“They were on the phone to the police even before we were.”

Mrs Miller praised the community for its support after the incident, saying: “I am so grateful for the amount of support the community has given us over this.

“It has been a horrible year, we have had it tough, all of us in the hospitality trade.”

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The couple said on the pub's Facebook page they would speak to their pub company and insurance about getting the repairs done.

The pub is still open, but customers with younger children to use the rear patio while the fence at the front is replaced.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “This was reported to the force, but has been filed pending any further information coming to light.

“No arrests have been made.

“Should anyone have any information, they can still call 101, quoting reference number 43210155859.”