Town councillor Dean Archer, has called the destruction of Hatfield's 190 year old Cat & Fiddle pub  "Another shameful act of cultural vandalism by an uncaring Borough Council." Mr Archer believes that planning officers did not try to save the landmark building at all. "The Borough Council care little for Hatfield" He continued, " It is controlled by a majority of Conservative, WGC biased councillors who seem to revel in the damage being inflicted upon historic Hatfield. They even allowed the destruction of Hatfield's art deco cinema! They could have insisted that at least the facade was kept, but they did nothing. What makes it worse, is that even the Hatfield based Tories dare not speak up for their own town for fear of being reprimanded by their leader, Cllr John Dean"

The Cat & Fiddle was sold last year for a reported £380,000 and planning permission was given to demolish it and build flats on the site. The pub finally closed last August.