Village's last pub is saved from closure

The pub is popular with villagers as one of the few places they can meet and socialise

A village's last remaining pub is re-opening this weekend after being saved from closure.

The Black Horse Inn, in Cranham near Gloucester, will be welcoming back customers on Saturday 4 May following a 10-month refurbishment.

It was feared the historic venue, which first opened in the 17th Century, would have to shut permanently after its last owner left.

But following a huge community effort, more than £260,000 was raised to secure its future.

Richard Overs, a member of the community steering group, said: "We wanted to keep it as the pub that we have always known.

"It now means we have got a really good pub again."

Mark Harwood said he was sat in the pub with two friends when they realised if they did not fight to keep it open, it could be lost forever.

"A huge number of pubs have been closing across the UK," he said.

'Tremendous support'

"It wasn't just about food and drink, it was about the fear and loss of being able to have that social connection.

"We have had tremendous support from people within the village and local community.

"We are in a position that we can make this more than just a pub, we're hoping to offer community-based services over time."

The pub has more than 260 shareholders who helped raise £260,000. The group also secured a £250,000 grant from the government's Community Ownership Fund.

Mr Harwood added: "Just during the refurbishment stage - it's been closed since late summer last year - so many people have been commenting in and around the local community: 'We haven't seen each other, we miss each other, it would be really great to get back together'.

"That just underlines how people are feeling and how excited they are for the future."