The current owner of The Blue Bell in King's Lynn, Norfolk, put the pub and surrounding land, including the pub garden and car park, up for sale by auction on 16 December.
However, the pub failed to sell and the owner has now agreed to cease marketing the property and sell to the community.
So it's vital that the community completes their fundraising effort by the end of January 2021 so that they can meet its timetable to reopen the Blue Bell next summer. The minimum investment is one share for £50, the maximum is £30k.
The community need a minimum of £180k to buy the pub, £80k to renovate and reopen it, and £20k working capital. This will be met by loans and grants of £100k and share sales of £180k. The community aims to open for business in July 2021 once the extensive renovations are complete.
The Borough Council has accepted as valid the community's application for The Blue Bell to be listed again as an Asset of Community Value. This will make it even more difficult for the current or any future owner to change the use of the premises.
The community plan for the pub is as follows:
A living room in Stoke Ferry with a warm welcome for locals and visitors alike
Quality bar food, snacks, coffees/teas, cakes to have in or take away
Imaginative and appealing vegetarian/vegan dishes
Locally sourced foods and use of organic ingredients where possible
Local beers, spirits and coffee
All-day café service
A parcel depot and prescription pick-up service
‘Café for Carers’; respite for carers to come together for mutual support