VILLAGERS turned out in their droves to discuss the idea of buying their local pub.
The Stanwick Arms, at Aldbrough St John, closed in September last year after the long-term tenants decided to pursue other interests and reluctant owner, Ian Todd, put the property on the market.
Despite “plenty of interest” the pub remains on the market, four months on.
However, a meeting was convened when Aldbrough St John Parish Council learned an application to list the pub as an asset of community value had been lodged with Richmondshire District Council in January – giving any local groups interested in bidding for the pub just six weeks to declare an interest.
With the March 18 deadline looming parish councillors wanted to gauge village opinion to see if there was enough interest in putting a bid together.
More than 100 residents and interested people attended the meeting at the village hall on Monday, March 11. They heard that if a community group registered interest in bidding for the pub before March 18, then the owner would be unable to sell to anyone else for a six month period.
Hipswell district councillor Paul Cullen, who was involved in the purchase of the highly successful community owned pub, the George and Dragon, at Hudswell, explained how the procedure worked and how funds could be raised to secure the property.
Mr Todd, who inherited the pub after his son Nick died, reassured residents he had no intention of selling the property as anything other than a pub.
He stated he’d accepted an offer on the property in January. However because an asset of community value application had been filed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in December, the buyer withdrew their offer.
The villagers unanimously agreed to declare an expression of interest in the pub – but only on the proviso they could withdraw that interest should a commercial buyer come forward.
The parish council will clarify the position with Mark Robson, the community development manager at Richmondshire District Council prior to making any register of interest.
