Members of the Nenthead community are in joyful mood after succeeding in a key stage of their fight to reopen their village pub.
The group formed to take over the much loved Miners Arms — the only pub in the remote North Pennines village — had set a deadline of Saturday to raise at least £95,000 for the project and were delighted when this target was smashed.
The total pledged to the group, called the Miners Arms Community Pub Ltd (MACPL), was £102,880, with 242 people applying to buy shares in the venture.
Support came from as far afield as Canada, Hungary and every corner of the UK, as well as many local residents.
Laura Seaton, who instigated the project and is secretary of MACPL, described the news as “really, really exciting” and reported that everybody in the village was “buoyant and positive” after learning of it.
She said: “Nenthead is not a wealthy area but local people have supported us and what’s been really heartwarming is that we’ve also had people from across the world helping us to save our village pub.”
In addition to the 242 applicants, a number of investors donated to a “pay it forward scheme” which allows anyone in the village to apply for shares even if their financial situation does not allow them to buy their own.
The one minor hitch in the villagers’ plans has been caused by the national political situation. MACPL had applied to the Government’s Community Ownership Fund for a grant of more than £360,000 and were expecting the outcome to be announced this month.
However, all decisions about applications to the fund were put on hold by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities after the general election was announced, and might not be made public for many weeks.
Simon Walker, chair of MACPL, said: “Although it’s disappointing to not have a decision yet on the grant application, we are now in a fantastic position to leap into action as soon as the result is known.
“We know this is only the start of our journey and there is a long way still to go. If anyone has skills or resources we could utilise we would love to hear from them.”
Laura added that the Miners Arms is more than just a village pub, it is a community space of great value to the area. The MACPL committee hopes it will again be welcoming customers by next spring.
The doors of the Miners Arms first opened nearly 200 years ago but the pub closed in 2020. It is now for sale, with the owner keen that it be taken over by the community.
