The figures, released to coincide with the start of CAMRA’s Community Pubs Month, shows 56 locals are now being run by residents, with six more in progress.
The group’s chairman, Colin Valentine, said: “The Great British pub is something unique and deserving of protection and it is inspiring to see so many communities across the UK fighting
to save their local by raising the money to purchase it themselves.
Heartening
“With 28 pubs closing each week there is much more that needs to be done to protect pubs, but it is heartening to see the desire to save pubs is clearly there among the pub-going public.”
One success story among these is the Norton Community Pub in Cold Norton, Essex. The pub was threatened with closure in 2007, but was saved after villagers grouped together to take it over. Shares in the pub were sold and raised over £100,000, more than £20,000 over the original target, with 70% taken up by villagers themselves.
The Old Crown Pub in Hesket Newmarket, Cumbria is believed to be the first co-operative pub in the country, having formed in 2003.
Julian Ross, who led 100 residents in the bid, said: “People say they don’t care about making a return on their investment. They just want to preserve something that is important for the community.
“This is a cosy, friendly pub, which you can go into whether you are wearing your wellies, walking boots, or a suit, and you won’tcome out without speaking to someone.”
Right to bid
The most recent takeovers have utilised the Community Right to Bid, which allows residents to nominate pubs as Assets of Community Value (ACV).
These included the Red Lion in Sidbury, which Punch Taverns last week agreed to sell to Sidbury Community Enterprises (SCE). Punch put the pub up for sale last April, and SCE successfully campaigned to have it listed as an ACV in August. The Red Lion is the only pub in a village of 800 people.
Organisers say the money will have to be raised in the next two months for the group to buy the pub. Under the share offer, individuals will be able to buy shares at £50 each, up to a value of £20,000.
List of community owned pubs