Villagers two thirds of way towards rasing cash to turn local into ‘hub’

MORE than £200,000 has now been raised by a group intent on buying their village pub, in the heart of the Peak District, and turning it into a “community hub” with a Post Office.

Members of the Bamford Community Society (BCS) are buying the Anglers Rest from owner Admiral Taverns after seeing the pub pass through the hands of 10 landlords in as many years.

A total of £320,000 is needed for the purchase.

Once the pub is in the hands of the BCS, the group will convert it to provide a new home for the under-threat village Post Office, and also add in a café and bunkhouse accommodation.

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A spokesman for BCS said the milestone was “terrific news” for the group, which had feared 
the sale might not go ahead at 
all.

Admiral Taverns revealed last month it had decided to sell the pub not to the BCS, but to a third- party developer.

But it then went back on that decision, with managing director Kevin George saying: “The pub will now be available for the local community to proceed with a purchase.

“While the original purchaser was entirely committed to maintaining the pub as a pub, with the potential of incorporating additional community services, such as a post office, both they and Admiral Taverns recognise the strength of feeling expressed.”

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Those who wish to buy a share in the Angler’s Rest can do so via the BCS website.

Mark Bawden, from the BCS, said: “We would urge people who believe in what we are doing to put their hands in their pockets and buy a share.”