Campaign continues to reopen the Rose and Crown Nympsfield

More than 100 people attended two separate public meetings on April 13 as villagers try to save Rose and Crown in Nympsfield.

It is hoped the 19th century boozer - which has been closed since early February 2023 - is eventually bought and run as a community pub.

Other ideas for the pub include adding a village shop, having live music nights, selling real ales and having a cafe as well as selling locally sourced food.

The site is currently being sold by estate agents Colliers with offers of £350,000.

Matthew Burke, chair of Nympsfield Community Pub Steering Group said: “We think there are three scenarios, one it becomes a community owned pub for the benefit of the community and we think that would be a great outlook. 

“Number two, is that it's bought by another party and is retained and operated as a pub which we think would also be a great outcome. 

'We could lose the pub forever'

Attendees at one of the public meetings organised by Nympsfield Community Pub Steering Group (Image: Nympsfield Community Pub Steering Group)

“And the third, is that it's bought by a developer who sits on it and it falls into more and more disrepair and is eventually granted change of use and we lose the pub.

“At that point we would lose the pub forever and we would never have a pub in the village again.

“That’s what we want to avoid, and that’s what is driving us to make sure we get this going, so we can make it an important asset owned by the community for the benefit of the community.”

A survey launched in February by the group generated more than 200 responses, with 58 per cent of respondents stating that the community should purchase the site.

During the meetings on April 13, attendees heard from the steering group, Tim Mars from Stroud CAMRA and Malcolm Woodrow, from Hillesley community pub The Fleece Inn.

Organisers are hoping to raise £300k through their share offer to be able to acquire the pub. 

This money would be raised through a freehold community ownership scheme where the pub would be owned by members or shareholders. 

It is hoped the The Rose and Crown at Nympsfield could eventually be bought and run as a community pub (Image: Colliers)

The group also hopes they will receive numerous grants including the government’s community ownership fund where they could receive up to £250k.

However, the building requires a refurbishment - including roof repairs and a kitchen revamp - with organisers estimating work could cost around £312k.

Matthew added: “There's lots of reasons why that pub can be a very thriving community pub.

“We know it's got a good reputation, it's in a good location, it's opposite the school. 

“What we want to ensure is securing the asset, the pub, and obviously we don't need to raise all the money to secure the asset. 

“Once we’ve got the asset, ie we own it, the time spent doing the roof, doing the refurb, it's kind of in our gift then to do the timing of that. 

“At least we know we’ve got it and then we can apply for more grants, and then it will actually happen.” 

Two pubs in the area are already run as community pubs including The Fleece Inn at Hillesley and The Red Lion at Arlingham.

Similar campaigns have been launched by groups in hopes of saving the Kings Head in King's Stanley and The Old Neighbourhood Inn in Chalford.

A pop-up event is due to take place outside the Rose and Crown on Saturday, May 18 for members of the public to find out more.