Shropshire Star

Pub could become a ‘community asset’

A pub that has gone on the market could be taken over by a community group.

Published
Golden Lion in Morda

The Golden Lion on Morda Road in Oswestry has been put up for sale, and has now been designated an ‘asset of community value’ following a successful nomination by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

Shropshire Council has received notification from the current owner that the asset is to be disposed of through a sale of the freehold, and a timescale has now been set up.

There is currently a six-week period up to December 11 for any group to register an interest in becoming a potential bidder.

A Shropshire Council spokesperson said: “If no written request is received prior to the end of the interim moratorium as shown, the owner is free to sell the asset on the open market.”

If a written request is received from a potential bidder then there will be a full moratorium for six months running to April 30, 2018.

If this happens the owner will not be permitted to sell the asset, unless to a valid community group or through an exempt form of disposal, during this six month period.

A protection period will also be in place until April 30, 2019, which is following a full moratorium period. No further moratorium will be enforced on the sale of the asset for an 18-month period.

Therefore if the asset has remained unsold by the date shown, a second moratorium period will be enforced.

Valid community groups will have to meeting certain criteria to be in with a chance of having a bid accepted to move forward. It includes a parish council in whose area the asset lies or any community group that has a local connection, a charity, a company limited by guarantee, a community interest company or an industrial and provident society or community benefit society.

If you would like To be treated as a bidder you can contact the Community Right to Bid by writing to Strategic Asset Manager, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND or email communityright@shropshire.gov.uk by December 11.