A COMMUNITY group has been set up to try to save a pub in Ribble Valley.

The Duke of York closed last year and it meant the village of Grindleton had no pubs and no regular meeting places apart from the village hall.

An application was submitted to turn it into a house, business premises and holiday cottages but council chiefs knocked back the plans and now the Grade II-listed building has been put back on the market.

Grindleton Community Pub Ltd has been set up and members want to turn it into a community pub and cafe.

Chairman John Halley said: “For as long as anyone can remember there have always been two pubs in Grindleton, The Duke of York and The Buck.

“However in the last three years both have closed.

“The pubs have been at the heart of Grindleton and their demise has been a significant loss to this community.

“The motivation for doing it was that we were worried about social isolation in the community and having not many places to all meet.

“We want it to be inclusive and welcoming, serving reasonably priced, good quality food and drink in a friendly setting.

“We think it will be a sustainable business that is owned by the community and run for the benefit of the community it serves.

“Social opening hours will make our pub and café an accessible place to visit, catch-up with friends and meet new people.”

Now, they are looking to appoint a tenant but they also need help from the community.

John said: “We need to raise money as we think we need £450,000 to purchase the building and carry out the renovations.

“We are lucky that a generous local benefactor, The Bowland Trust, has offered to provide a substantial grant to help purchase and refurbish the Duke of York.

“This support together with smaller grants from elsewhere, leaves £270,000 to be raised by the community.

“If anyone is interested in investing in this exciting social enterprise then we would like them to get in touch.

n If you would like to find out more information about the pub then visit the website: https://grindletonpub.co.uk/ or alternatively email Grindleton.pub@outlook.com.