Campaigners fighting to safeguard a village pub they say was once the heart of their community are celebrating after it was officially recognised as an asset of community value.
North Yorkshire Council has approved an application to list The Coore Arms in Scruton, near Northallerton, following a campaign by residents concerned about the closure of the venue.
The decision means the pub will receive additional protection if its owners decide to sell, giving the community an opportunity to put together a bid to buy it.
The successful application was submitted by Coore Memorial Hall CIO, with campaigners arguing that the pub played an important role in bringing villagers together.
Susan Rogers, chair of the Save The Coore Arms working group, said a recent village survey had revealed just how much residents missed having the pub as a focal point for the community.
“There were some interesting findings in the recent village survey about retaining the pub,” she said.
“Residents felt that the village had lost its cohesive core, because you didn’t see people or bump into people as much as before, and felt the community becoming more isolated.
“If they were just walking past on a summer’s day and people were outside drinking, they’d stop and chat.
“It was the focal point of the village, and they didn’t realise just how important it was until it was no longer there.”
The Coore Arms closed in February after landlord Mark Brown said he could no longer afford to keep it operating at a loss.
The building had been advertised for sale at £295,000, with villagers concerned it could eventually be converted into housing, although it is understood the pub has recently been removed from the market.
A survey carried out by the working group found that 90 per cent of residents felt the pub was important to the village and 45 per cent said they would be willing to invest if a community purchase was organised.
The group’s preference is for the pub to be bought by private individuals willing to work with the village to make it a success, but members would consider a community purchase and a tenant or manager then running the business.
The council’s decision reverses the outcome of an earlier application submitted by Scruton Parish Council, which was rejected after officers concluded there was insufficient evidence that the pub’s community activities went beyond its normal operation as a business.
Following the original rejection, more than 50 residents attended a meeting to discuss how to save the pub.
In its decision letter, the authority confirmed that the building had previously been used in a way that furthered the social wellbeing or interests of local residents.
It also concluded that it was realistic to believe the building could again serve such a purpose within the next five years.
The designation will remain in place for five years, subject to any changes in circumstances.
Under the asset of community value rules, the owners must notify the council if they intend to sell the property.
An initial six-week period would then give a community group the opportunity to express an interest in bidding.
If an eligible group comes forward, a six-month moratorium would apply, allowing time to prepare an offer.
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