Campaign group issues shares to bring pub to life
From left, Hull Community Pub Society members Chris Robertson, Simon Berry and Jeff Clarkson
At a glance
Group campaigning to bring pub back to life invites people to buy shares
The New Clarence closed in 2023 and a proposal to turn it into housing was rejected
Group wants to turn pub into asset of community value but needs to raise £520,000
- Published
A group campaigning to bring a popular Hull pub back to life is inviting people to buy shares.
The New Clarence, in Charles Street, called last orders in 2023 and was sold by Admiral Taverns to Kingston Apartments.
The property developer wanted to turn it into shared housing for NHS staff but the application was rejected by Hull City Council.
Hull Community Pub Society (HCPS) campaigned successfully for it to become an asset of community value, external and are now hopeful a fundraising drive, external will raise the money needed to buy it.
The group says it needs £520,000 to make the dream a reality and if successful it is believed this will be the only pub of its kind in the city.
It is hoping the government will help through the Community Ownership Fund, while the target from the share issue is to raise £150,000.
'Proven to work'
More than 50 people attended the launch evening on Wednesday, with nine pledges raising £6,200 on day one.
The building has fallen into disrepair and council planners have been told that the ceiling is leaking and pub equipment has been removed.
Windows have also been boarded up and the pub’s name taken down.
HCPS treasurer Jeff Clarkson said: “The community pub model has been proven to work.
“There is approximately 170 community pubs that have been set up elsewhere in the country. None of them have failed.”
The New Clarence, in Charles Street, Hull, closed its doors in 2023
Mr Clarkson added that people would have a share of the pub and that “all the profits go back into the pub and that community”.
A minimum of 100 shares and a maximum of 15,000 can be bought by people who live in the HU postcode region, while businesses can invest at a higher level.
Simon Berry, HCPS chairman, said: “When we get the money and refurbish, it is going to be a wonderful place to come for the community, led by the community.”
The deadline to buy shares, external is 31 March.
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