FIVE years after community-minded villagers came together to save their local pub, they have finally agreed a deal to purchase the freehold.
The Norton, in Latchingdon Road, Cold Norton, has been run by volunteers since they stepped in to save it from demolition in August 2009 after two years of closure.
And now the Norton Freehouse Management Committee has struck a deal to buy the freehold of the land where the pub sits, the grand vision for the watering hole can be realised, according to committee member Paul Guppy.
"Buying the freehold is key to our plan for The Norton as it reduces costs. It's like owning your own home – you're in control," said semi-retired consultant engineer Paul.
A new restaurant is set to open inside the pub next month, with homemade food on the menu served up.
More than £120,000 was raised by a Community Share Issue scheme from over 80 local shareholders to cover the deposit and fees required, with a mortgage granted by Unity Trust Bank for the balance.
"The enthusiasm is still there for the pub," says Paul, 58, who is part of the nine-strong pub committee.
"It was a lot harder work than we all thought but it's been such a success. And we all chip in on a part-time basis to help out.
"We wanted The Norton to be more than a boozer, we wanted it to be the hub of the community, a proper country pub, and I think that we have achieved that."
The pub was closed for two years from 2007 to 2009 before it reopened as the South of England's first community-owned pub.
And in January last year it was chosen by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) to represent its Pubs and the Economy campaign, that served to highlight the importance of the local to the British economy.
The pub serves a wide range of real ales and has regular live music along with quiz nights, bingo and two darts teams.
Paul's wife, Debbie, who is chair of the management committee, said: "We have proved that by sheer hard work and determination it is possible to stop the decline in the number of rural village pubs and thus preserving important community assets.
"We would like to thank all of our volunteers, customers, shareholders and staff for their support over the past few years."
The committee are now looking for a name for the new restaurant so if you have an idea you can send to paul.guppy@btinternet.com
