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28
Nov 2022
Harrogate district residents aim to raise £250,000 to buy village pub
Residents in Skelton-on-Ure are aiming to raise £250,000 to buy their village pub, which has been shut for three years.
The Black Lion, on Skelton Lane close to Newby Hall, between Boroughbridge and Ripon, was bought in December 2019 by Admiral Taverns.
However since then it has stood derelict, leaving locals questioning its future.
The pub was put up for sale in June after its owners said it did not have a “long-term sustainable future”.
Admiral Taverns, which owns 1,600 pubs across the UK, said selling was the only option.
However, a group of residents are now calling on people to pledge to buy a share in the pub in order to raise funds to buy and revitalise it.
Sandy Delf, one of the residents involved in the Black Lion Community Hub and Pub, said:
Read more:
- Much-loved Skelton on Ure pub up for sale
- Skelton on Ure residents plead with owners to save ‘eyesore’ pub
The group, which has received support from rural community charity the Plunkett Foundation, aims to raise £250,000 in order to access government match funding as part of the community ownership fund.
Shares in the pub cost £250 each and are open to people and businesses to submit an expression of interest.
The Black Lion pictured prior to its closure.
Mrs Delf said the venture was "especially vital in the current and recent past economic climate", adding:
The pub was recently listed as an asset of community value by Harrogate Borough Council.
The listing means residents have more time to raise funds to buy the property.
For more information on how to pledge a share in the pub, visit the Black Lion Community Hub and Pub website here.
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