A campaign to save The Ship Inn at Surfleet Seas End has taken another decisive step forward.
The Shipmates board voted on Thursday, August 27 to push ahead with its reopening plans after winning Asset of Community Value status for the pub.
Shipmates chairman, Mark Newlands, said: “We know we have a hard road ahead, but couldn’t not carry on now.
Not only because we have so far been successful in obtaining Asset of Community Value status, which safeguards the pub for a time-limited period, but also because of the phenomenal support we have had.”
The site has had a pub since 1642 and the current pub closed more than a year ago.
“Since our campaign to reopen the pub launched we have been overwhelmed by the literally hundreds of people who have signed up to support us, and the messages of encouragement we have received. Not a single person has had anything negative to say,” said Mark.
He revealed that he has been in contact with the current owner, who wants to sell to the community group and wants to see the pub reopen.
“He is very community spirited and wants to see the pub once again serving the community,” said Mark.
The Shipmates board met recently and confirmed the desire to formalise and legalise the Surfleet Shipmates Community Project. This means it will register a special type of “company” with the authorities, which will be used to legally raise money and buy the pub, It will also be developing the plan for the business so investors, small and big, can assess the viability of the future business and decide whether or not to buy shares in it.
“No doubt there is a lot of work ahead and pledges are key to our assessment of the community’s willingness to invest in its own future,” said Mark.
There is now a race against time. Although the pub will now remain an Asset of Community Value for five years, meaning any future planning application to change it from a pub to a dwelling or some other use could be denied, the Shipmates have around six months to prepare and submit a bid to buy it.
The group is looking for pledges of financial support so it has a better idea of support for raising funds. Mark stressed this would not commit anyone to anything, but would help guide the way forward.
Find out more at surfleetshipmates.org.uk
Potential shareholders or those interested in investment opportunities can contact [email protected] in the first instance.
Surfleet Shipmates
