Community pubs update

Bamford’s Anglers Rest is now under community ownership, a small village in the Peak District managed to raise £263,500 from its community share issue to create a community pub, post office and cafe. The pub was officially handed over to the Bamford Community Society on 28th. October and opening day was 2nd November. The pub is being run on a day-to-day basis by the new management couple, Troy and David. The plan is to turn the pub into a community hub, housing several services in one building. A café will open in late November, and the village Post Office will relocate there in January. In the longer term the property will also feature bunkhouse accommodation and car parking for both residents and visitors. For more information, see their website: anglers.bamford.coop Liz Marshall, of the Bamford Community Society, said: “It was such a special moment when we finally became the owners of the Angler’s Rest. It is the culmination of two years of hard work and commitment and was a much bigger undertaking than any of the group initially expected. Over the next few months we hope that the Angler’s Rest will become a true community hub that all of Bamford’s residents can use and enjoy, and that will also attract visitors to the village. When we first started we were told that local people wouldn’t buy into the pub in order to secure its future. But this project has shown that local people do care about their community assets and services, and we are thrilled by the high level of support we have received.” A similar community group is looking to run the Angel Hotel at Spinkhill. Their case will be going to North East Derbyshire District Council Planning Committee. However, the Agent acting on behalf of the developer has submitted a revised site plan which shows provision for some additional parking but has not addressed many of the issues raised by objectors to the planned scheme. The developer seems to be steam rolling ahead irrespective of the ACV (Asset of Community Value) status which the pub currently enjoys. Dave Pickersgill