RESIDENTS of a West Devon village are looking into ways of saving its village pub for the community after the owners told of their intent to sell it.

The owners of the currently closed Chichester Arms in Chillaton are intending to sell the pub, but as it is already registered as an Asset of Community Value, a valid community group can be considered as a potential bidder for the property if interest is registered before May 15.

Two extremely well attended public meetings were held in the last couple of weeks at Marystowe Church Hall to gauge public opinion on whether the community should look into purchasing the pub, various ways in which it could be purchased and run and to discuss the challenges involved.

Registering a community group as a potential bidder would prevent the owners from selling it on the open market for six months so efforts can be made to raise the money to buy it for the village.

The feedback from the two meetings demonstrated that there was considerable interest among the residents of Chillaton in acquiring the Chichester Arms as a community-owned asset.

It was agreed to form a steering group to complete a feasibility study to consider the merits of the proposal and to examine in more detail how any purchase would be financed.

A spokesperson for Milton Abbot Grouped Parish Council said: ‘The parish council had the Chichester Arms listed as an “Asset of Community Value” by the borough council so that local residents would have a chance to make a bid for it, should it ever come on the market.

The pub has been shut for some time now and as the owners are considering offering it for sale, the opportunity for villagers to form a community group and register as potential bidders has now arisen.

There are only six weeks in which to register and so Chillaton parish councillors have been working with residents and with the Plunkett Foundation, which helps rural communities run facilities like village pubs and shops, to find out what might be done.

‘At a packed meeting last week, it was decided to try to save the pub for the community and a steering group was formed to oversee the initial process of getting a valuation, assessing the feasibility of the project and reaching a position where local residents would be able to take an informed decision as to whether to register as a potential bidder or not.

‘If that is their decision, then they will have just over four months more in which to raise the necessary funds and make an offer, which the pub’s owners are not required to accept if they don’t wish to.’

Neil Jory, on behalf of the newly-formed steering group, said: ‘If it goes ahead, the project would involve acquiring the freehold of the pub and its complete renovation.

‘A successful bid would provide a much-needed focus for the community and would regenerate the centre of the village.

‘The property is designated as an Asset of Community Value and, as such, if offered for sale, current legislation allows community groups to declare an interest in buying the premises.’

The steering group now has until May 15 to make that declaration.

Mr Jory added: ‘It’s really exciting that so many people in the village have expressed an interest in buying our local pub and securing its future. Initial discussions indicate that residents would be prepared to invest in and support this venture, which will both bring the community together and provide much-needed facilities and services for individuals and groups right in the heart of our village.

‘The prospect of us owning our own village pub is very appealing, but there is a lot of work to do and a long way to go before it becomes a reality.’

The steering group has not yet held its first meeting, but any enquiries, offers of support or anyone interested in helping in any way can contact Neil at [email protected]