A TAMESIDE village looking to save its local pub is moving forward after raising an incredible £119,000.
The Harewood Arms, in the heart of Broadbottom, is up for sale as the owner Phil Wild wishes to retire.
Now the Broadbottom Community Pub Group has topped six figures in its fundraising bid – and is looking to go further.
Results of an independent valuation of the business is expected late in October, but fundraising options are already being explored.
A spokesperson said: “We’ve been invited by Co-operative UK to apply for funding from Community Shares Booster Fund.
“This has several strings, including seed funding to organise our community share offer and prospectus and community shares standard mark certification, which ensures we follow best practice when we launch our community share sale.”
If successful, that sale would be partially underwritten, while about £2,000 has been raised to cover short-term costs, with a quiz night at the pub on Tuesday, October 22 and a local bands night on Saturday, November 2 adding to the coffers.
The Broadbottom Community Pub Group was set up by Phil Hesketh, Lesley Wylie, Andrew Taylor and Grenville Lunn, with support from Affie Lockhart.
Their initial target of £250,000 would then be supplemented by Government funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
A Booster Fund application by will be submitted in early November, while the price, based on the independent valuation, is negotiated.
All the while, a business plan will be finalised while grant funding applications will be submitted.
The committee has also expressed its intention to continue running The Green Mill Brewery, which is housed within the pub and officially recognised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), as well as reviving the tradition of selling the award-winning brewery’s beers to other pubs and businesses.
Affie Lockhart, from the committee, told the Correspondent: “In a period where Broadbottom experienced the closure of both its local Post Office and Arts and Crafts Centre, The Harewood Arms stands as one of the few remaining establishments within our village, serving as a vital social focal point.
“It provides a gathering place for individuals who may not have a strong support network nearby, offering them the opportunity for social engagement.
“The Harewood Arms operates as a local employer, independently owned and not part of a larger chain.
“Our dedicated staff members play a crucial role in sustaining the pub for our valued patrons. Should the pub face closure, the livelihoods of these staff members would be directly impacted.”
If anyone would like more information or make a pledge to the campaign, email communityharewood@gmail.com or send a message to the Save The Harewood Arms Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SaveTheHarewoodArms.
Stepping hill hospital crumbling and people are bothered about somewhere to get drunk