A COMMUNITY who are trying to save a derelict pub from being turned into houses are celebrating after reaching more than £175,000 in donations.
Campaigners in Kirkby Malzeard near Ripon, North Yorkshire, have spent the last three years fighting to raise £230,000 to purchase their local from a developer.
The Henry Jenkins pub, which is more than 250 years old, has remained in a state of disrepair ever since it closed eight years ago.
Vowing to save the pub from being repurposed into housing, campaigners formed The Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd in 2017, opening the option to buy community shares of £250 each.
But earlier this week, The Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd said it had now raised around £175,000 towards the purchase of the pub and the backing of a business support programme.
David Robinson, Chair of The Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd revealed it had received a much-needed cash boost of £2,500 and a package of specialist business advice from a programme established to support community pubs in England.
He said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded support from More than a Pub.
“The support that the scheme offers will allow us to access invaluable advice and knowledge that we, as an enthusiastic team of volunteers, can only benefit from.
“The bursary will enable us to stage meetings to share our progress with the 150 members we have already gained, and produce promotional material to share our story and attract the support and additional membership we need to reach our fundraising target.”
On Wednesday, Mr Robinson said the survival of the pub was necessary as the village of Kirkby Malzeard continued to grow.
He said: “As our village continues to grow, we feel it is important to offer local residents a quality country pub that will serve young and old well into the future.”
“A community based pub is owned by the village, for the village, and there have been amazing success stories the length and breadth of the country.”
The Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd said it now needed to raise another £31,000 to begin the purchase process and development into an 'English family-style bar'.
- For additional information on the community pub group visit www.thehenryjenkins.com
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