21/05/2024

We learnt today that Stonegate group refused the offer that had been made (see below) and are still holding out for £450K. This is disappointing and does not take into account the amount of work required to renovate the property nor does it take into account that there is no trading history available to support such a valuation.

As a community we would not want to be offering such a sum, even if we could raise it.

As a steering committee our view is that Stonegate are deliberately trying to show that they have tried to sell it as a pub but this has not been viable and will follow this with a change of use application. Our understanding from Stroud Council is that this would be difficult to achieve and that there are policies in the Local Plan that seek to protect pubs. However, as we all know big business have lobbying and legal powers we do not have.

Meanwhile, we aim to resubmit the ACV (Asset of community Value) application which will give some element of additional protection.

If there any lawyers out there with specialist knowledge in this area, please do let us know if you can offer any further advice.

10/05/2024

In late April we learnt that there had been a credible offer made for the pub for it to be run as a pub. The steering committee therefore put on hold any fund raising plans as it was unlikely that our offer would have exceeded the offer on the table.

We expect a decision to be made by Stonegate in mid May.

28/04/2024

Since the village meeting we have been setting up a fuller steering committee with the required skills and have been establishing priority of requirements.

Steering committee now consists of

Robert Faulkner
Natasha Bojanowski
Deborah Smyth
Stephen Hynd
Sue Stokes
Hayley Parker
Roy Arbon

The steering committee has now met 4 times
We have achieved coverage in the Stroud News and Stroud Times
We are resubmitting the application to register the pub as an Asset of Community Value
We plan to run a fund raising and information event at the village fete
We have requested the support of Siobhan Baillie MP
We are in the process of developing the business plan and grant applications
We have joined the Plunket Foundation who can provide support in this process
We have submitted forms to the FCA to register as a Community Benefit Society
We have opened a bank account to received donations and set up a crowd funding page.

We raised £157 at the village meeting.
We have spent £285 to date and have future liability of £300