A village near York is attempting to protect their local pub from sale in the hope it can be revived as a community hub.
The Rose & Crown, situated in a picturesque setting next to the village pond in Askham Richard, has been shut and empty since lockdown.
Before then, it had provided a focal point for the village.
Now the Askham Richard parish council is hoping to get the pub listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). That would give the community the first chance to buy the building if it goes up for sale.
City of York Council documents state: “The freehold of the Rose and Crown is believed to be owned by Samuel Smith’s Brewery (the property is not registered at the Land Registry so it has not been possible to definitely check the ownership by reviewing title deeds).
“The public house has been closed since the beginning of March 2020.”
Samuel Smith’s Brewery have been notified about the Rose & Crown’s nomination to be an ACV and invited to respond.
Four nearby pubs closed
In the parish council’s application, they state that before the lockdown, the pub “was closed intermittently over the previous three years at least”.
“Askham Richard is a small village of approximately 70 households, where the adults currently have no place to meet and socialise in the evenings.
“Of the public houses in nearby villages, the Three Hares at Bilbrough and the Ebor Inn in Bishopthorpe are currently closed, as are The Tankard in Rufforth and The Buckles on the A64.
“In most British villages, as well as in larger communities, the local pub remains the hub of community life. And in Askham Richard that is all there is.
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“We believe that there would be sufficient interest locally for the Rose and Crown to be run as a community pub.
“For these reasons we believe that the Rose and Crown is indeed an Asset of Community Value, and we request that it be registered as such.”
Meanwhile, Bishopthorpe Parish Council are asking that Vernon House should be listed as an ACV, as “a vital community asset to the village of Bishopthorpe that furthers the social well-being of, mainly, the elderly members”.
Cllr Katie Lomas will review the applications during a decision session of the York council executive member for finance, performance, major projects and equalities on Monday, 10 July.
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