Village's last pub listed as community asset

The Half Moon pub is the last pub in Barton, North Yorkshire

A village's last remaining pub has successfully been registered as a community asset after it was put up for sale last year.

North Yorkshire Council has accepted the request to add The Half Moon Inn in Barton, near Richmond, to its list of Assets of Community Value (ACV).

The pub serves as "a central gathering place for villagers for decades, fostering social connections and a sense of community", according to the application.

A previous attempt to register The Half Moon Inn as a community asset was rejected after owners Punch Taverns submitted an objection. The listing means that if it changes ownership it cannot be converted for other uses.

The pub, located on Silver Street, was put up for sale last year and has since been run by by a group of local residents under a short-term lease.

Barton Parish Council's application highlighted that the venue hosts community events such as leek club meetings, cricket teams, military veterans and bell ringers.

"The Half Moon Inn is a genuine community hub – important for all sections of the community," it stated.

"It is a historic building central to the village's cultural heritage and architectural character.

"Socially, it is the beating heart of our village and a symbol of our community spirit and gives a sense of belonging for many who live here."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, members of the community previously offered to buy the venue, but the sale fell through.

The application added that it would be difficult for the village to get a pub back, should it be sold to a residential property developer, or "a buyer intent on running the pub down over time to achieve the same outcome".

A report by North Yorkshire Council officers recommending that the pub was added to the community asset register said the nomination suggested " strong local support".

"The pub has been part of village life for many years, offering a central and accessible space for social interaction and community events," it said.

"It is the only pub in the village of Barton, and alternative venues are limited, reinforcing its value as a social hub."

The ACV listing means the community can be involved in The Half Moon Inn's sale and would get the first chance to make an offer.

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