Cumbria community group seeks pub tenants

The Lyvennet Community Pub group snapped up the Butchers Arms in Crosby Ravensworth in 2011, after raising £300,000 in less than three months.

The pub has more than 300 shareholders based all over the world — from Singapore, Australia, Alaska, the Netherlands and across the UK — all of whom have invested a minimum of £250 each.

New tenants​

The group is now looking for new tenants to take on an initial three-year renewable lease from September, after experienced chefs Keith Taylor and Bev Percy decided to leave the business. The rent for the first year will be £18,173 plus VAT.

The pub, which was built in 1863, comprises a bar, community area, 30-cover restaurant, commercial kitchen, beer cellar and a 20-cover dining/meeting room on the first floor.

Owner’s accommodation includes a lounge/kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom, while outside there is a beer garden with benches, a storage room, smoking shelter and parking for 12 cars.

The property was refurbished in 2011 and work was carried out last year to convert part of the outside garage into a dry store for stock and create the upstairs dining/meeting room.

'Fabulous sucess'​

Kitty Smith, secretary of Lyvennet Community Pub, said: “The pub has been a fabulous success for us and is very busy. Our tenants say 80% of people return to eat at the pub.”

She said the group is looking for a tenant with a strong track record and aspirations to expand the business and maintain the focus of the pub as a community hub.

To find out more or arrange a viewing of the property, contact Smith at kitty.s65@btinternet.com.

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