Funeral company to move after business premises sold

A village's funeral director said he had been "shocked" after learning his leased premises had been sold without his knowledge.

Richard Stebbings Funeral Service, which has operated in Impington, Cambridgeshire, for 21 years, has been purchased by a council-owned company.

This Land, owned by Cambridge County Council, bought the family-run business alongside a village shop in the hope of building 28 apartments on the site.

Mr Stebbings said the change "just came as a shock" and said he now does not "know what to do or where to go".

This Land said it proposed to deliver a "sustainable residential-led development" to include 28 apartments, a retail unit, landscaping, and amenity space.

A spokesperson for the business said: "Discussions with the two current commercial tenants on the site remain ongoing and it is our aim to retain a productive dialogue with them as the plans for the site progress."

Mr Stebbings, who started working in the profession in 1966, said: "We had a meeting and we thought we were still part of what was happening, but unfortunately we weren't.

"They said, 'I am afraid you are going to have to go' and I am just completely lost now."

This Land was set up to develop properties on Cambridgeshire County Council-owned land in 2016, but is yet to turn a profit.

The authority has had to play down fears over about £120m it has loaned This Land.

The business said it recognised "the important role" the funeral company had in the community and said it was "committed to working closely with them as they explore options for the future of their businesses".

Mr Stebbings said he had received lots of support from his customers.

"Everything has to be done in a dignified way when you're caring for somebody's loved one - they need to be treated with respect."

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