Cash boost for campaign to save village pub

The Bell at Pensax, Worcestershire, closed its doors in October 2022

A campaign to save a community pub has been awarded a cash boost of more than £200,000.

Villagers launched a campaign to save The Bell at Pensax, in Worcestershire, following its closure in October 2022.

The aim was to raise about £450,000 to buy and reopen the venue, which dates back more than 180 years.

That funding target has now been reached after receiving a grant of just under £275,000 from the government's Community Ownership Fund.

In a post on its website, the Save The Bell working group said the result was a "reflection of the huge amount of time and effort put in by members of the committee".

It also thanked the pledgers and supporters for their backing as well as local politicians.

'Truly incredible'

A total of £300,000 of public money has been secured to bring The Bell, described as "a focal point" for the village, under community ownership.

Pledges of more than £200,000 have also been made by supporters.

The group said it was "fully committed" to completing the purchase of the pub and that it would give an update in the new year.

"What we have achieved to date as a community is truly incredible," the statement added.