This is Bath -- Owning their own pub could become a reality for two communities this year. In the coming months supporters of the Richmond Arms in Lansdown and the Packhorse in South Stoke will have to find thousands of pounds to secure the future of their favourite locals. Both pubs now feature on Bath and North East Somerset Council's list of assets of community value, which has given the two communities the chance to find the money to buy the pubs. In Lansdown Save The Richmond Arms Campaign group is hoping regulars will be able to help find almost £400,000. Later this month a business plan and share prospectus will be available. The Richmond Arms (Bath) Community Benefit Society Limited has been set up by the campaign group to raise the money through community shares, which will be priced at between £500 and £20,000. Spokesman for the Save the Richmond campaign, Angela MacAusland, said since a public meeting in December momentum had grown. "People are coming forward saying they are interested and want to know more about the shares or have an amount of money that want to pledge or are coming forward with offers of help with the campaign." The Packhorse in South Stoke was the first pub to be put on the council's asset list. Members of the Save the Packhorse action group have since formally registered as an Industrial Provident Society so they can buy the pub. The pub is being offered to villagers by owner Martin Sherry who only bought it in 2012 after it was put up for sale by Punch Taverns. Ken Lambert, spokesman for owner Martin Sherry, said there had been several offers from interested parties but Mr Sherry was committed to the community buyout. "Mr Sherry is not interested in any offers from anyone else apart from the group in South Stoke. The Packhorse is not on the general market. "If it's going to be sold it must continue as a pub." Both groups are bound to be keeping a watchful eye on The Bell in Walcot Street, which was bought by 500 supporters for £600,000 last year. The Save the Bell campaign received high profile support from the likes of Robert Plant, Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis, and singers Midge Ure and Peter Gabriel. Manager Patrick Cave said the first Christmas and New Year period under the community management had been its best ever. "We broke all records in terms both of takings and of feedback from our lovely customers. "More of the same, and even more so was our brief when the pub was taken over by well-wishers and local supporters. I hope they will all feel that we are right on course after such a sparkling end to 2013."
Reported by This is 2 days ago.
This is Bath -- Owning their own pub could become a reality for two communities this year. In the coming months supporters of the Richmond Arms in Lansdown and the Packhorse in South Stoke will have to find thousands of pounds to secure the future of their favourite locals. Both pubs now feature on Bath and North East Somerset Council's list of assets of community value, which has given the two communities the chance to find the money to buy the pubs. In Lansdown Save The Richmond Arms Campaign group is hoping regulars will be able to help find almost £400,000. Later this month a business plan and share prospectus will be available. The Richmond Arms (Bath) Community Benefit Society Limited has been set up by the campaign group to raise the money through community shares, which will be priced at between £500 and £20,000. Spokesman for the Save the Richmond campaign, Angela MacAusland, said since a public meeting in December momentum had grown. "People are coming forward saying they are interested and want to know more about the shares or have an amount of money that want to pledge or are coming forward with offers of help with the campaign." The Packhorse in South Stoke was the first pub to be put on the council's asset list. Members of the Save the Packhorse action group have since formally registered as an Industrial Provident Society so they can buy the pub. The pub is being offered to villagers by owner Martin Sherry who only bought it in 2012 after it was put up for sale by Punch Taverns. Ken Lambert, spokesman for owner Martin Sherry, said there had been several offers from interested parties but Mr Sherry was committed to the community buyout. "Mr Sherry is not interested in any offers from anyone else apart from the group in South Stoke. The Packhorse is not on the general market. "If it's going to be sold it must continue as a pub." Both groups are bound to be keeping a watchful eye on The Bell in Walcot Street, which was bought by 500 supporters for £600,000 last year. The Save the Bell campaign received high profile support from the likes of Robert Plant, Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis, and singers Midge Ure and Peter Gabriel. Manager Patrick Cave said the first Christmas and New Year period under the community management had been its best ever. "We broke all records in terms both of takings and of feedback from our lovely customers. "More of the same, and even more so was our brief when the pub was taken over by well-wishers and local supporters. I hope they will all feel that we are right on course after such a sparkling end to 2013."
Reported by This is 2 days ago.