On behalf of the Steering Group, Margery Hookings released the information below. This information will also be displayed at The Comrades Arms, on the Parish Council’s website and on various noticeboards. Many questions that Broadwindsor.org has received and asked on your behalf are answered here 🙂
Over to Margery…
Work is going on behind the scenes to re-open the White Lion at Broadwindsor as a community pub.
A Steering Group is meeting regularly to move the project forward. It comprises:
- David Leader (Chair)
- Sandra Burrows
- Chris Edgerley
- John Heys
- Andrew Hookings
- Margery Hookings
- Fraser Hughes
- Elaine Leader
- Susanna Newall
- Chris Newall
- Charles Ouin
- Luke Pickering
Between them, group members have a wide range of skills and experience. We believe that securing the right deal with Palmers represents the best – and only – chance for the White Lion to re-open at the heart of our community. We want it to happen, and we know the community does too. We need to raise at least £30,000 to make it a reality.
Agreement with Palmers has been reached but not yet signed. We can’t tell you all that’s been happening because some of the detail is commercially sensitive. However, it’s our intention to publicise a summary of our meetings to keep you updated as best we can.
Save the White Lion, summary of meeting 6/10/21
Community Benefit Society application – due to be incorporated within next 3 weeks. Share issue put to community (like the village did for the shop).
Business plan – final version almost ready. All payments need to be made by end of year 3.
Funding – seeking grant from Broadwindsor Group Parish Council. Applications to grant funding bodies identified as most likely to support project. Comrades Arms trading well, taking £1,200 in first four days.
Two villagers planning two events in aid of Save the White Lion, in addition to regular discos where bar takings will go to pub fund. More details soon.
Yard of ale fundraising ‘thermometer’ to be placed in the Square.
Bank account – can be started only when we are a Community Benefit Society.
Job advert for manager/chef – not much response yet. Exploring other outlets.
Logo – new logo in consultation with Palmers. Original pub sign (pre-dating existing one) by George Biles will be displayed internally.
Refurbishment – ongoing discussions on updating interior and adapting layout for ambience, efficiency and increased number of covers. Kitchen left sparkly clean by Spike and Vikki. Now to cost kitchen equipment etc for business plan.
Timeline – end of October/early November – approach community on share issue.
Christmas/New Year – hope to be open.
SaveTheWhiteLion.Org
