Bid to make village's last pub a community asset

A parish councillor has applied to make The White Horse Inn an Asset of Community Value

A councillor is trying to get a village's last remaining pub listed as a community asset.

Parish councillor Andrew Short in Biddestone, Wiltshire, has applied to register The White Horse Inn as an Asset of Community Value.

The listing would mean that if its owners ever wanted to sell the pub, Wiltshire Council would have to be notified and the community would be given an opportunity to buy it.

Mr Short said: "The White Horse provides a central meeting point and its loss as a public house would have a devastating effect on village life in general."

In the past 25 years, the village shop and post office closed alongside The Biddestone Arms, which was turned into seven houses.

The nomination to list The White Horse Inn has the backing of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

"The White Horse is the only remaining pub in the area and is a real asset to the community," said Camra's North West Wiltshire pubs officer Mike Hamlyn.

Stonegate Pub Company, which owns The White Horse, is advertising for new tenants to take on The White Horse, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It said the "traditional pub in an affluent, picture-perfect village" had "untapped potential" to become a "destination pub".

The company wants a rent of £615 a week and said the pub was forecast to make about £420,000 a year.

It says: "The White Horse is a charming, character-filled village pub that offers a rare blend of heritage, warmth, and commercial opportunity.

"Already enjoying strong local loyalty, The White Horse has untapped potential to become a destination pub for food lovers and day-trippers alike."