Save the White Lion NEWS Update #2

A summary of the latest minutes from the Steering Group’s meeting on 18th October, provided by Margery Hookings:

Work is going on behind the scenes to re-open the White Lion at Broadwindsor as a Community Pub. The community needs to raise at least £30,000 to make it happen.

The Steering Group comprises:

• David Leader (Chair)
• Elaine Leader
• Susanna Newall
• Chris Newall
• Sandra Burrows
• Charles Ouin
• Luke Pickering
• Andrew Hookings
• Margery Hookings
• John Heys
• Fraser Hughes
• Chris Edgerley
• Rick Dyke.

 The following is a summary of the latest meeting, excluding commercially sensitive or personal information.
Save the White Lion, summary of meeting 18/10/21

Community Benefit Society application –

Slight delay while the Plunkett Foundation, which is advising us, talks to the Financial Conduct Authority about the legality of the set-up before we can go to the community with a share offer. We should know within three weeks.

Grants and fundraising –

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council has agreed a grant of £5,400 which represents three years’ grant all in one go. A great deal of work has been carried out to identify suitable grant-making bodies. It is difficult to pursue these while we await confirmation of the legal set-up of the organisation running the pub. Comrades Arms had made a profit of £700 in the first two weeks. People within the local community are working on fundraising events in the village.

Manager –

There have been several expressions of interest so far. Discussions and advertising ongoing.

Business plan –

An abridged version has been amended to include skill sets and this will be used in grant applications. A three-year cash flow will be put into the plan. Firm costings for the refurb will need to be included in the plan.

Refurbishment –

A great deal of time and research has been put into structural work and furnishing needed before the pub can reopen. This has to be costed to put into the business plan. Volunteers have offered help with structural work. The Steering Group was unanimous on the proposed physical layout of the pub and furnishings as per the plan drafted in conjunction with the brewery. More details will be unveiled when the community is approached to buy shares.

The next meeting is due to be held on 1 November.

SaveTheWhiteLion.Org

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2021,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BWGPC,#CommunityPub,#SaveTheWhiteLion,#PlunkettFoundation,#ComradesArms,#Update,#Funding,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe