A village community has purchased its pub after seven years of efforts.
It was reported in December that a social enterprise in Framsden would receive nearly £280,000 to buy The Dobermann Inn, in The Street.
Framsden Social Enterprises Community Benefit Society Ltd (FSECBS) now have the keys for the premises, it has been confirmed, with volunteers already under taking work to clear the exterior and interior of the site to prepare it for refurbishment.
The project will officially be relaunched in a ceremony at the pub tomorrow, where its new name will be announced.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Julia Green, a director of FSECBS. “But it’s now full steam ahead.
“As with all things like this there’s been lots of work behind the scenes. We’re now in the process of making the pub water tight; we will then dry it out and then we will start rebuilding it.
“However, we need all the help we can get – we’re going to start with a sare issue so people can come and buy shares or help us out volunteering.”
Ms Green also mentioned that the enterprise will be contacting companies to gauge interest, and they are open to professionals coming on board to help out.
The group got the keys to the pub on March 28, and two days later 27 villagers gathered to clear the garden and exterior areas of the venue, which had not been touched for seven years.
Another working party was convened on Sunday to clear debris from the inside, with the whole interior emptied.
A Community Ownership Fund grant from the Levelling Up department was used to purchase the pub. FSECBS will be seeking to secure further grants to the extra £250,000 needed to fully redevelop the venue.
The Dobermann Inn, which was formerly known at the Greyhound, dates back to the 1700s and is housed in a grade II listed building.
