A GROUP of residents have joined forces to save a much-loved local pub from being redeveloped.
The Royal Oak pub in Broadway closed its doors at the beginning of April after owners Wadworth put the pub up for sale.
Fearing that they will lose a vital community hub that can host events and bring people together, a group has started a campaign with the hope of buying the pub as a community, similar to the community-owned Cross Keys pub in Corsley.
Leading the committee is Clayton Young, who said, “The Royal Oak Broadway was first on the 1851 census as a pub. Wadworth purchased the Royal Oak around 20 years ago. From this time there has been a selection of long term landladies and landlords, the last proper landlady was Lisa Wiley who had no end of ideals and events.
“Sadly her partner and pub chef was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away very quickly and Lisa left to return to Cornwall. From there on, there was a selection of managers some with no interest, some with little, during this time Wadworth put the pub up for sale. While the locals kept up the quiz, bingo, crib and other things, nine months ago with only a few people viewing the pub, Donna Blagdon took over and the pub flourished and many locals and new people came in.
“Four weeks ago the rumours started that an offer had been put in, and that’s when the idea that the pub is closing became reality.
“So us locals got a petition going and started resourcing ideas. The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) were a great help and advised an ACV (asset of community value).
“We have set up a Facebook page, which is going strong and now we have had our ACV validated by Mendip District Council, we can begin our struggle for real.
“Ultimately we’d like a community buy out, similar to the Cross Keys Corsley. We think this pub is important mainly due to the community this end of town having no other place to meet, there are people whose only social outing is Friday, Saturday or Sunday bingo night. The crib team has ran for years and generations have come up through the ranks, and this pub has raised over £9,000 with charity rides to Bournemouth for Dorothy House. It’s so important to the community.”
For more information or to join the campaign, visit: www.facebook.com/ Save theroyaloak/
