Villagers halt disposal of 200-year-old pub

A village campaign to save a local pub from redevelopment has convinced pub bosses to rethink the plan.

The action group set up by the residents of Norton Juxta Twycross has won support from the Campaign for Real Ale and the Pub is the Hub in its battle to save the only pub in the village.

Now Pyramid Pub Management has put a plan to redevelop the Moores Arms on hold while it considers a proposal to sell the pub as a going concern.

Pyramid, which runs the Warwickshire pub on behalf of freehold owners Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), was faced with a well co-ordinated local protest campaign when it announced plans to sell the Grade II listed pub to a developer. Pyramid has applied for planning consent to convert the pub into six private dwellings.

The 200-year-old Moores Arms has seen a sharp sales decline, prompting Pyramid's decision to recommend closure to RBS.

However, locals insist that lack of capital investment in the business, as well as a failure to match the offer to the needs of the 90-home village, are responsible for the pub's downturn in fortunes.

Action group spokeswoman Melanie Mills said that special events such as quiz nights had been well attended. A poll of villagers showed that the majority would eat at the pub at least twice a week if food was offered, drinks quality improved, and service standards raised.

Pyramid executive chairman Paul Davies told The Publican that a potential offer for the business had emerged. He said: "Having taken the decision to close the pub - which we never do lightly - we have a responsibility to get the best value from it.

"Given the strength of feeling in the village, we think it's appropriate to go back to Royal Bank of Scotland with a plan that could keep the pub trading."

The village has asked for the opportunity to buy the pub to run as a co-operative if no other offer comes forward. Mrs Mills said there is initial interest from at least two potential buyers, including another major pub operator.