Allan Worden, chairman of the Earl of Portsmouth Preservation Society

Villagers are rallying to save a popular pub from being turned into housing.

The community of Chawleigh learned in late June 2020 that, from having two thriving pubs just a few years ago, it might have none by the end of this year.

The Earl of Portsmouth had closed in November 2019, and there was an application to allow it to be turned into housing. The owner of the other pub in the village, The Royal Oak, wrote an open letter to the village saying that the future of that pub was in doubt and that residents should support any campaign to save The Earl.

A group of concerned residents rallied together to oppose the change of use and to ask Mid Devon District Council to make the Earl an Asset of Community Value (ACV) which it did in August.

The community has until February 25 to raise enough money so it can make an offer to the owner of the Earl to purchase the property.

Allan Worden, chairman of the Earl of Portsmouth Preservation Society, said: “Our intention is to re-open it as a community pub, i.e. a pub owned by the community and run for the community.

“We are hoping to raise at least £225,000 by means of a community shares offer.

“Our financial wizard has come up with a detailed business plan which, together with our community share offer document, have been submitted to the Community Shares Organisation for scrutiny.

“We are delighted to announce that both have been approved and we have been awarded their charter mark. This should give potential investors added assurance and confidence that they have all the necessary information before investing in our community’s future.

“The position of the rural pub in particular, within the community cannot be overstated. It is the place where all can meet on equal terms, for a party, a musical event, a great value meal, a quiz or just a drink in comfortable surroundings. A place where we can welcome other pubs’ pool, darts & skittle teams and share some fun.

“There is increasing evidence from university research that the rural pub adds to the health and happiness of the local community and mitigates against loneliness and isolation, an increasing problem exacerbated by Covid.”

If you are interested in having a share in a pub in the heart of the community and, which in the past many will have visited email allanworden@btinternet.com for more details or visit savetheearl.org.uk or telephone 07704 515060.

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