Residents living in a village near Burnham-On-Sea have this week launched a bid to safeguard the future of their village pub.
The Watchfield Inn has been closed for more than four months and its owner, Enterprise Inns, is currently seeking a new landlord.
But Burnham Without Parish Council – which fears for its future – has applied on behalf of local people to register the pub as an ‘asset of community value’ with Sedgemoor District Council.
Alistair Gordon, Chairman of the parish council, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com he is keen to get feedback from local people on how the property could be used.
“Some people want to save it as a country pub, but not everyone – there are mixed views,” he said. “A note has been delivered to everyone in the area to encourage them to give us their feedback.”
“The parish council has applied on behalf of everyone locally to register the pub as an asset of community value with the district council.”
“The parish council has applied to give everyone time to consider what might happen to the pub. Both we and the owners have eight weeks to consider before the pub is placed on this register.”
“In practice, if the application is successful, then the owners would have to inform the local community as to what they proposed doing with the pub and the linked campsite – for example, if they were not intending to continue to run the pub as a going concern.”
“So, before early August, we’d like to hear from local residents about what is preferred to happen next.”
The parish council is also planning to hold a public meeting in September for local people to air their views about the site.
Alistair can be contacted by email at watchfieldsomerset@gmail.com with questions, and/or views about the future of the building.
