16 Feb LAST MINUTE PUSH TO SAVE 300 YEAR OLD PUB
A 300yr village pub in Essex has just four weeks to raise half a million before it disappears for good. The heart of village life, The Manor Pub in Great Holland, Essex, has been put at risk after current owners applied to convert it into a residential property, and there is now a real danger of the last village pub being lost forever.
Paul Withams, Secretary of the committee, commented: “The pub is at the centre of the village and for centuries has been the centre of the community. This past year has really brought into sharp focus the importance of community spirit and having a place where people can meet and share news, views and generally look out for each other. We have seen such places disappear over the years as people’s habits change, and with almost 300 years of history behind it, we couldn’t just watch it go.
“We’re now calling on the good pub-loving people of Essex to help save our pub. Through our share capital scheme, we’re aiming to raise up to £500,000 and buy the pub from the current owners. We need people to buy shares who care about everything that our pubs stand for and provide to a community.
“Once we meet our target, the pub will relaunch as a Community Enterprise, ensuring our great pub stays in the village, meeting the needs and wants of our community – hopefully for another 300 years.”
A planning request to change the use of the pub to a residential property was made in 2020. To buy a share of the pub, people can complete a share prospectus on www.greatholland.com/ghcbs Alternatively email [email protected] and the documents will be sent across directly.
