Community asset application submitted for the King William IV pub

A community asset application has been submitted for the King William IV pub in Shore

A community asset application has been submitted for the King William IV pub in Littleborough by members of the community.

The 'Friends of the King Bill' group was formed on 8 November to protect the pub, affectionately known as the King Bill, after it shut its doors on Saturday 5 November.

After many years under different landlords, the pub’s owners, Ei Group PLC, decided to put it on the market over 12 months ago. The pub carried on trading until the bombshell hit the community that it would shut until a new owner was found.

Local residents Gaynor and Ron Murgatroyd, who have a personal connection with the pub as Gaynor’s parents were landlords there over 20 years ago, met with local councillors and the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) group members to gain insight into community venture pubs.

Gaynor said: “An unincorporated group was formed with signatures from over 30 people and over 160 people commenting on Discuss Littleborough. Locals want to protect the pub and don't want to see it go to property developers or sold as a residential dwelling.

“The King William IV significantly contributes to the heritage and culture of the local community and has been running as an Inn since 1792. It is a well-loved and well-used pub, bringing the local community together. New research from Oxford University shows that people who have a ‘local’ pub are happier, are more satisfied with their life and have a wider network of friends.”

The 'Friends of the King Bill' group aims to provide facilities for the community for socialising, community activity and cohesions and to promote the greater integration of the community of Shore, Littleborough and surrounding areas.

Members are investigating the potential of the pub being used for a multitude of recreational and community uses, including the following:

• Local meeting venue
• Corporate events or workshops to include activities in the area (walks/biking etc)
• Local post office
• Local shop
• Mum and baby groups
• Leisure activities – yoga/gym classes
• Linked to a community bus 
• Age UK link
• WI link
• Fundraising centre
• Potential to be used as a film/TV location
• Link in with local press for events

The next steps that the Friends of the King Bill' group has planned is to look at crowd funding opportunities, plus the possibility of becoming a community co-operative venture with shareholders each having a say in how their local pub is run, by the community and for the community.

If you are interested in protecting your local community asset and becoming more involved, please contact Gaynor Murgatroyd on 07593 186176 or gaynor.murgatroyd@icloud.com