Village pub reaches share target towards buyout

Nenthead is thought to be the highest village in Cumbria

People hoping to reopen a remote Cumbrian village pub have smashed their target for selling shares in the scheme.

The Miners Arms at Nenthead in the North Pennines, which closed in 2020, is believed to have opened almost two centuries ago.

In May, a group operating as a Community Benefit Society began a share offer to raise £95,000, which reached £102,880 when it closed on Saturday.

Simon Walker, who chairs the Miners Arms Community Pub Ltd (MACPL), said supporters had "dug deep", with contributions from as far as Hungary and Canada.

Nenthead is four miles (6.4 km) from Alston, and is 438 metres (1,437 feet) above sea level.

Grant decision delayed

MACPL said applications came from 242 people, many living locally, with others from across the UK and some from abroad.

It said a number of investors donated to a "pay it forward" scheme, allowing anyone in the village to apply for shares even if their own financial situation did not allow them to buy their own.

Mr Walker added: "Our supporters have been fantastic; they’ve dug deep in difficult times and it’s amazing to see the final total.

"The management board and I want to thank each and every one of them for believing in our vision to reopen the Miners Arms."

The group said it also applied for a government grant of more than £360,000, but it is not expecting a decision until after the general election, after announcements were put on hold.

Mr Walker said although the delayed decision was disappointing, "we are now in a fantastic position to leap into action as soon as the result is known."