SaveThe Storey Arms

The discussions at the Parish Council meeting prior to the village referendum showed the strong feeling against the building plans and although the village voted against it, the DPC still approved the building of the houses.   Understandably there is hostility towards the building work, and it will have significant impact on some villages.  However, the DPC has made its decision and the worst outcome would be that the houses are built and we still loose the community pub.  The OCPL group has therefore been in discussions with the Parish Council on the next steps:

 

• The Parish Council is discussing with the OCPL how the money from the developer can be used to save the pub, i.e. what would the legal agreement be with the OCPL and how this would work in practice to ensure the pub becomes a community asset.  This is critical to establish as soon as possible. However, until the Planning Committee have agreed the payment terms with the Developer the time scale remains unclear.

• When we have firm dates on when the money from the developer will be available formal discussions on buying the Storey Arms can begin and hopefully a deal concluded with the current owner.

• The OCPL is completing a business case that would be presented to the Parish Council to justify the use of the £200,000 allocated to buy the Storey Arms by the DPC and also to bid for part of the remaining £100,000 for much needed repairs and renovations. 

• What we are already sure about is that any business case will be based on increased village support for the pub and we believe this will be helped if we can maximize the numbers of villages who become shareholders.

• Request for interest in becoming a shareholder will be sent out once the rules of its operation are agreed with the Parish Council.  Shareholders will be able to vote to elect the management committee and would have a stake in this community asset. The business case would be available for those interested in becoming a shareholder as would details of the rules that ensure the asset is protected for the village.

 

Please note the OCPL group is also targeting various grants that are available, with lottery money probably being the best hope for any substantial sums.  Any monies awarded could help change the pubs structure to facilitate village meetings, children’s events or improve the pub for dining.

 

The Osgathorpe Community Pub Group

 

This legal entity’s management committee originally consisted of Martin Buczkiewicz, James Eddy, Jon Clarke, Kevin Adkins.  For a number of reasons Martin and Jon have decided to resign from the group and James will take a step back from leading his leading role.  Firstly, a very big thanks to James, Martin and Jon for setting up the group and their commitment to saving the pub for the village.

 

The OCPL Management Committee has therefore been reformed:

 

Role                    Name                            Current Focus

Chair                   Rob Whyard                  Project management, business case

Vice Chair           Peter Hodgson              Legal / contracts background

Secretary            John Froggatt                Grants

Treasurer            Kevin Adkin                    Building renovation estimate

Member              Dave Bull                        Business case

Member              James Eddy

 

This management committee will be elected by shareholder at the first annual meeting after the once the pub has been purchased.

 

We also need to attract ‘non-pub’ people to give their input into making this an attractive community facility for all people in the village.  We are conscious that the current management committee composition is not represented of the whole village (we are all male for a start) so ideally we need some different people involved and willing to help and make this a success.

 

If you would like to help please contact Rob Whyard