Good news for villagers fighting to save pub
VILLAGERS in Norton Lindsey fighting to save a much-loved 18 Century pub may soon have something to celebrate, following an announcement by the building’s owners this week.
The New Inn in Norton Lindsey closed its doors in July before being placed on the open market with a guide price of £350,000 by Enterprise Inns, much to the disappointment of villagers.
In response to the move, a group of locals, who call themselves the ‘Salvation Squad’, are attempting raise the money needed to buy the New Inn and run it as Warwickshire’s first community pub.
Their efforts have already attracted support from CAMRA and the group are even looking at the different facilities they could offer in the pub, should they be successful in purchasing it.
According to the Salvation Squad, a number of offers for the property have already been received, though none from any pub company.
In a boost to the group this week a spokesperson for Enterprise Inns said: “We are nearing an agreement to sell The New Inn to the local community, and are in the throes of final negotiations with a local community working party. Enterprise Inns would be very happy to be able to sell the pub to the people of the village, with whom we’ve enjoyed positive discussions.”
In 2013 Norton Lindsey Parish Council registered The New Inn as an asset of community value (ACV) with Warwickshire County Council.
This move enabled the parish council to express an interest in the building putting a six-month moratorium on any sale, meaning residents have until 8th December to submit a final bid.
The Salvation Squad are hopeful of agreeing a price for the building before the bid deadline, but still need help from the local community to raise the money if that price is agreed.
To gauge the level of interest in saving the pub, the Salvation Squad conducted a community survey asking residents what facilities they would like to see at the New Inn.
The results of the survey showed people approved of the idea of a new village shop in the pub and a café being run at the building during the day.
So far residents have already pledged to invest £167,500 in saving the pub, though the Salvation Squad are hopeful that more will come on board as further details of their plans for the venue are released.
On 31st October the group is set to launch a share offer, meaning they can actually begin turning these pledges into cash and also approach corporate companies about investing in the idea.
Rob Brook, chairman of the Salvation Squad steering group, said: “Our vision is to not only save our historic pub, but to turn it into a hub for the community with additional facilities, which the community feels is appropriate.
“We only have a limited amount of time to get our act together, for us to stand a chance at purchasing the New Inn, and whilst the community are committed to this action, we are not a big village with approximately 139 households, so we need to extend our reach and would be looking to have both a community share offer and a crowd funding option, for people further afield who want to help us to be the salvation of The New Inn.”
Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White, who is supporting the group, said: “I am fully supportive of the project to save the New Inn for the village and recently raised the campaign in Parliament. The New Inn has been a real community hub in the past and I pay tribute to everyone involved. It would be great to see the pub back up and running and would encourage as many people to support this initiative as possible.”
