A village pub is to be bought by a community bid after the funds needed for the venue were secured - but a search for a tenant is still underway.
The Farmers Arms in Muker, Swaledale, is set to come under community ownership after the end of a second share offer. The Muker Community Benefit Society (MCBS) is now proceeding with the purchase of the pub.
The second share offer raised a further £160,000, well above its minimum target of £80,000, meaning the sale is progressing without the need for government support.
Vice chairman of the Muker Community Benefit Society, Richard Walls, believes that having well over 500 shareholders, some from as far afield as New Zealand and the USA, demonstrates just how valued the Farmers Arms and Upper Swaledale are to locals and visitors alike.
He said: “For so many people to invest in the Farmers Arms reflects the affection that people have for Muker Parish and the welcome they receive when they visit. There really is a Farmers Arms community."
The sale is now going through the normal legal processes and the MCBS hope it will be in their hands sooner rather than later, but that doesn’t mean the effort has stopped.
A new tenant must now be found for the pub - but the group hold out hope of getting someone in place soon.
Mr Walls added: “There’s a huge amount to do to ensure the Farmers can open when the sale completes, from licensing to suppliers to services.
"Perhaps the most immediate challenge is to find a suitable tenant, but given the pub’s iconic status, stunning location and successful track record, we believe there’s no better opportunity for anyone who’s dreamt of running a Yorkshire Dales village pub.”
The society hope that the sale will be completed in August or early September and that the pub will re-open after that.
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