Proposal to turn Eden pub into community asset

Calls have been made to register a pub in Eden as a ‘community asset’.

Members of Clifton Community Council voted unanimously in favour of the nomination of the George and Dragon pub as a community asset.

If the pub is awarded community asset status it means local residents will be informed if the pub is listed for sale within the five year listing period.

The community can then enact the Community Right to Bid, which gives them a moratorium period of six months to determine if they can raise the finance to purchase the asset.

The parish council will submit the nomination papers to Westmorland and Furness Council who will consider the nomination against set legislation and criteria around the designation as a community asset.

This comes on the back of the George and Dragon Pub being closed due to a fire last year and highlighted how the village could lose its only pub.

According to analysis from accountancy firm Price Bailey, 779 pubs went bust in the UK in the year up to June 30.

Chair of Clifton Community Council councillor Jonathan Davies said: "Rural communities across the UK are facing the rapid loss of village pubs that have been part of the communities they have served for decades in some cases centuries.

"The pressures of the current economic climate coupled with changes in consumer trends have impacts on rural pubs.

"The George and Dragon is an important part of the Clifton Community and one that the council and members of the local community are keen to recognise as an asset in our community.

"The nomination as a community asset simply gives that recognition and protection of a valued asset in an uncertain future it provides some reassurance that the community can should the need ever arise act to protect the future of the George and Dragon as an asset to the local community."

However the move has been met with some skepticism by pub owner Allison Davis.

She runs the Spinners Arms in Cummersdale, she said she recognises the troubles facing the industry: "There's still massive issues in hospitality with staffing. I know a lot of places are still trying to clear off their covid debts and like a lot of households we've got increased utilities, increase food bills increased fuel bills.

"When a village pub closes it obviously has a massive impact on a community. It is a catch 22 though because if the community don't use the pub or whatever the asset is it's not going to survive."

However when talking about the prospect of businesses becoming a 'community asset', she had concerns: "Having to sit for 6 months, unable to accept an offer, is interesting when it's a private business.

"I can imagine some cases where an owner is trying to sell because they are not well or they are struggling, then this becomes difficult."