Published in the Darlington and Stockton Times Friday 10th June 2011
A proposed community run pub in Carlton has moved a step closer with an offer to buy the premises being accepted by the building’s owners.
Following an application to the FSA the Coverdale Community Pub Co-operative is now in place. The group who wish to purchase the Foresters Arms in Carlton have announced that their offer to the owners of the now closed pub to has been accepted.
Spokesman for the Coverdale Community Pub Management Committee Peter Pearson said “It is good news that our offer has been accepted but there is a great deal of work still to do.”
The group have worked hard to obtain pledges and took advantage of two popular events in the area; the Stables open day at Middleham on Good Friday and the Festival of Food and Drink. The Community Pub Co-operative was able to raise awareness of their quest, and obtain a significant number of further pledges.
Mr Pearson continued "Speed is now of the essence as we have to convert the pledges already made to us into funds in order that we can complete the purchase. We also have to continue to gain more support in order to raise enough money to complete the renovations and re-open the pub."
"There is a lot of information about the way forward that needs to be understood and although we will shortly be making available a comprehensive Opportunity Document that will describe everything in detail, we think that it would be very useful to meet to discuss the issues. “
Interested parties are invited to a meeting on Thursday (June 16th), in the Coverdale Memorial Hall at Carlton, at 8pm.The management committee will present their proposals regarding the way in which they intend to purchase, renovate, and operate the pub.
The news follows the National Park planning committee meeting held in April at which planning permission to change use of part of the pub was refused
The Community Pub Co-operative have not yet raised enough money in pledges to reach their target of £300,000 and are looking for further support. Anyone interested in becoming involved and to pledge support or read the newsletters should visit www.coverdalecommunitypub.co.uk.
Carol Brown and Kevin Utley of the Coverdale Community Pub Co-operative canvassing support