The Farmers Arms, Muker: Community purchase of popular Swaledale pub jeopardised by general election

The Farmers Arms in Muker, well-known to both locals and hikers, was subject to purchase by a local group hoping to take it into community ownership. However, with restrictions on government activity during the run up to July’s general election, the decision on whether public funds will be used to assist the purchase has been delayed, potentially indefinitely.

The pub has been up for sale for two years, and villagers raised £342,000 through a community share offer to buy it, with an application to the government’s Community Ownership Fund made in April to help raise the necessary funding to complete the purchase, with a decision expected this month.

However, community organisers have now been told, “There will be no further Community Ownership Fund announcements at this time.”

Professor Sir Mike Richards, chairman of the Muker Community Benefit Society explains: “To raise the full amount needed to buy the Farmers Arms the society applied for a grant from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund in April, with a decision expected towards the end of May.”

Richard Walls, who’s part of the community steering group, told The Yorkshire Post of how important it was for the community to take control of the pub. “It is really important from both a social and practical point of view. We don’t have much in the way of amenities or services and that makes the Farmers Arms essentially the hub of the community where people chat, catch up and get to know each other no matter what time of year.

The Farmers Arms was listed as an Asset of Community Value in October 2022. The status provides local assets like pubs, shops, libraries and community centres a level of protection against development while community groups attempt to arrange their purchase.

The latest bidding round of the Community Ownership Fund is valued at £150m for communities to take ownership of local assets across the UK.

According to The Plunkett Foundation, which has helped set up the majority of community pubs in the UK, the model of ownership sees local pubs owned and run democratically by members of the community. Shares are set at a reasonable price to allow people to buy-in to the venture.

While locals in Muker await to learn if their bid has been successful, they also share concerns about the possibility the funding scheme may change criteria or even be scrapped if there’s a change of government. In the meantime, they are hoping to raise funds by alternative means to ensure the purchase is secured.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited the pub, which is in his constituency, in February to offer his support to locals’ efforts to purchase it.

“The village pub is so important in a rural area – not just economically in terms of providing employment – but in bringing people together and providing a focus for a strong community,” he said during his visit.