CAMPAIGNERS hoping to save a historic pub from being bought and turned into flats believe they can get hold of it by January.
And those looking to save Godley Hall Inn are looking to launch a community share scheme.
The fight to keep the 200-year-old licensed premises in its current format attracted a huge amount of support when the campaign was launched in February.
Now those behind the Save Godley Hall Inn group believe they can own it by January 13 when the listing as an asset of community value expires.
They will soon launch a scheme in which people can buy shares in the pub with the aim of raising about £300,000.
Campaigner Alex Dempsey also revealed how there has been a lot more work than meets the eye that has gone into it.
He said: “We’re confident we can achieve our aim – and we’re confident we’ll achieve it by January 13.
“We’re currently in the process of setting it up and we’re supported by both the Plunkett Foundation and the More Than A Pub group.
“An application is in with the Plunkett Foundation that would secure £50,000 in grant funding and there’s another loan of £50,000 available that is the subject of an additional application which involves the community shares.
“They would fund-match up to £50,000, so with that and other schemes available there is in the region of £200,000 available.
“We’re aiming to develop a business plan and offer community shares to facilitate the purchase of the pub.
“That will cost £225,000 plus VAT, then there are things that need repairing or replacing, so we’re looking at a total cost in the region of £300,000.
“If we get close to achieving that figure, we’ll be able to buy the pub then raise funds for the repairs at a later date.
“There’s a lot of work gone into the scheme. We’re currently in the process of finalising everything but the support from the Plunkett Trust has been invaluable.
“At first it was a sum for initial advisory support, then we received additional support from them for further advice on how to develop the community share scheme.
“Everything is likely to be drawn up and submitted around the end of October. We’ve been working on getting ahead of the questions that will be asked and the paperwork that would be needed so we can maybe get things done quicker.
“Many may think it’s simple, you just lodge a business plan but there’s a lot more goes into it. If the application is successful, we can then incorporate as a business and set up a bank account.”
The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent Tier 3 regulations imposed on the area means there cannot be a physical launch event for the shares scheme.
But even getting this far is an achievement from a steering group consisting of seven members and a committee of about 30 people.
“Having a meeting of that many people is nye on impossible,” Alex added.
“So we’ve gone down the digital route with social media streams on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I’m not massively into social media but at the moment, it’s a necessary evil.”
Landlord and landlady Alan and Sue Hanson were told they had 12 weeks to leave after 18 years’ service as the pub was put up for sale.
Owners Mike Radcliffe and Shaun Donohoe are thought to have made the decision to sell because the pub is not making enough money.
That raised fears it would be bought by a developer and an initial meeting on February 4 was attended by councillors Jim Fitzpatrick and Betty Affleck while they heard from Rick Clarke, who was part of a scheme that saw the Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge, bought by the community.
And Cllr Fitzpatrick made it very clear any planning application to build in the car park will be opposed by him and council colleagues Betty and Joe Kitchen.
He said: “It’s an old farmhouse that was converted into a pub, so you could turn the pub back into a residential property as that’s what it used to be.
“But you can’t change the fabric of the building and my personal view is I don’t want it to become houses.”
And the community response was so strong, it has bowled Alex over.
He said: “The support from the councillors has been huge and the response of the community has been great.
“They’ve been positive about the way we’ve gone about doing things and hopefully we will get some sort of recommendation soon.”
• If you are interested in getting involved, contact the Save Godley Hall Inn group via their website: www.savegodleyhall.co.uk