The Old Horn at Spennithorne: Yorkshire Dales pub's owners abandon plan to turn it into housing after locals campaign for protection

The Old Horn at Spennithorne, between Bedale and Leyburn, closed after Paul and Christine Hornsby felt they could no longer make the business viable due to its location, size and lack of car parking.

Their agent argued that the pub, dating back to 1810, originally opened to serve farm labourers and would have been wet-led, but was now located in a community of mostly retirees with few people working locally to support it.

The Hornsbys put the inn on the market, but failed to find a buyer and instead applied to Richmondshire Council for permission to turn the building into two one-bedroom homes.

There were numerous objections from the parish council and local residents, who pointed out that The Old Horn was vital for sports teams and community activities, and they have now succeeded in having it listed as an Asset of Community Value by the council.

This protection means that the building cannot be converted for other uses and if the owners receive any offer for it on the open market, they must inform the Old Horn Community Group, who have six months to raise the capital to buy the business themselves.

Local councillor Tom Jones said: “‘This has been a brilliant example of constructive community work from everyone involved. It’s great to see people taking the lead and a real civic pride in where they live. I’ve been pleased to support this project so far and I hope I can continue doing so until the pub is bought.

"The successful ACV listing means the pub can’t be sold without the group’s knowledge and requires the owners to inform the group should they receive any other plausible offers. A valuation should be completed shortly and then commercial negotiations will begin in earnest.

“I was happy to write a letter of support for this application and as I wrote in that letter, to allow the pub to pass into private hands without at least giving the opportunity to a community so clearly motivated, so well organised and so keen to take on the rights and responsibilities of looking after their pub would be a grave error.”