A PUB in West Oxfordshire could soon be run by the local community if residents get their way.

Villagers in New Yatt, near Witney, have grouped together to make a bid to the owner of The Saddlers Arms, which has been closed for more than two years.

The pub, designated an asset of community value to stop it from being sold privately for six months, had been up for sale for £375,000 but residents said their bid was lower and would not reveal how much they have offered.

Nick Moglia, 54, one of the residents leading the bid, said: “It would give people a real sense of community if we could own it.

Our top stories

“Previous tenants have had to pay quite high rents and have been tied to pub companies, and undoubtedly it was getting run down.

“If we can be successful in buying it then it would be a freehold and charge a more moderate rent.

“A management committee would appoint a tenant and it would be entirely in keeping with what the community wants.”

The pub, previously owned by Oxford Hotels and Inns, was the last community building in New Yatt before it closed in July 2012.

It was sold to Pauline Lakey, who was denied planning permission to change it into a house by West Oxfordshire District Council in January.

She told the council in a planning statement at the time it was “not a viable business”.

Hailey Parish Council, in which the pub is located, applied to the district council for it to become an asset of community value.

This was approved on April 28 and gave residents six months to lodge a bid.

Oxford Mail:

The Saddlers Arms

The Saddlers Arms Community Pub group was set up by villagers and carried out a survey, in which 83 per cent of residents said the community should buy the pub and appoint a tenant. It raised money and pledges from residents’ subscriptions in a share scheme, loans, and grants from organisations such as the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which aims to improve lives through grants.

A bid was made before the deadline on Tuesday, October 28, and the group, which has visited other community-run pubs such as the Red Lion in Northmoor, is now awaiting a response.

Dad-of-three Mr Moglia, a CEO of an IT company, said: “The survey showed the pub has an important contribution to the village.’’ Mr Moglia’s wife Sarah de Buriatte said: “It seemed a real shame for the village to lose its only pub. When it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Hailey Parish Council chairman Graham Knaggs said: “I hope that they are successful.”

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.