An Eden community has launched its campaign to buy a pub and thousands of pounds has already rolled in.
Earlier this month, around 130 people gathered in Bampton memorial hall or listened in online, for the launch of a community initiative to buy The Mardale Inn.
A group known as Bampton Valley Community Pub has been formed for a village buyout of the hostelry — with shares going on sale at the event.
Overnight, around 500 shares were bought at £100 each, going some way to reach the minimum target of £360,000 to make the community venture viable.
Sales are still coming in and campaigners are feeling positive.
Campaigner Phil Sweetland said: “It was a great start on Wednesday night. Lots of people were interested and there is clearly a lot of community support for the idea.”
He added that many personal stories from investors have come to light since the share offer was launched.
From people whose families used to live in the area but have moved away to repeat holidaymakers, it seems that a wide range of people, not just locals, have fallen in love with the valley and want to see the community prosper.
Phil added that the local element of the pub must remain at its core if it is to succeed under community ownership.
“We’ve had a very exciting start and I’m grateful for all the investors so far but we’ve still got a long, long way to go,” he said.
Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson visited community organisers earlier in the week to throw his weight behind the campaign
He said “I met the BVCP team at the delightful Mardale Inn and this has really confirmed to me why community pubs are such important initiatives.
“Rural areas need community and pubs like this can be at the heart of that.
“A welcoming local pub helps forge friendships that sustain people through challenging times.
“I am 100 per cent behind this project. I really encourage folk to join in the share offer and I am wishing the team every success and looking forward to supporting their campaign further.”
The campaign is already gathering steam, and this is set to continue with both a growing social media presence and more traditional placards now lining the valley.
However, hundreds of thousands of pounds are still needed by March 3 if the venture is going to get the go-ahead.
To find out more about investing, visit bamptonvalleycommunitypub.org
