Restoration of the Crown, Minchinhampton.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Public Meeting called by the Minchinhampton Parish Council at the Market House on Saturday.  If you were unable to attend, or did not collect a form expressing interest – please either email for a copy or collect one from The Market Stores.  The Restoration of the Crown, Minchinhampton, Group (RCMG) will keep everyone informed about what is happening on this website – minchinhampton.life and through this newsletter.   For those who missed it this is a brief resume….

The Market House was full to capacity with unfortunately many having to be turned away. The  meeting was called in response to EI Pub Group’s decision to put the freehold of the Crown on the market. The running of the event was  delegated to RCMG – local volunteers.

The meeting was called to test the strength of feeling in the town and to outline the way ahead should a community bid to buy the pub be mounted.   Nick Hurst, Chairman of MPC, opened the meeting by explaining  the history of the Crown since it closed four years ago and the current situation with regard to the pub’s viability.  Nigel Parry, a member of the RCMG, then introduced three guest speakers.  These comprised David Morgan, a licensed trade chartered surveyor, Robin Couling of Oakridge Wealth Management and Peter Austin of Inventive Hospitality, all of whom have extensive experience of running  or being involved in licensed premises and were aware of the procedures, pitfalls and opportunities involved in establishing community ownership of a pub.

There was a question and answer session after each speaker.  It was explained to those present that the possible formulation of a community bid to buy the pub should only be necessary in the event that the current owners failed to find a buyer to take over the Crown.   Any bid would need to be formulated by June 19th when the Asset of Community Value listing of the Crown expires – in that event EI could apply for Change of Use.  All speakers emphasised the inadvisability of the community attempting to run the pub, recommending instead either a local brewery or management company be employed.

The speakers were thanked for their contributions and they have assured their support in the months ahead.  The Group will be looking for people with suitable experience in the legal, administrative, accountancy or hospitality industries who would be prepared to serve on the Board of a limited Company that will need to be set up in the event of a community bid.

`MINCHINHAMPTON NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
The Consultation period for the NDP expires on February 25th, 2018.   Copies are available to be read in The Trap House, The Library or Amberley, Box and Brimscombe Churches.   It can be viewed on line on the Parish Council’s website or www.protectourspace.org/ndp.   Please read it and offer your comments.

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