Villagers look into community pub purchase

Controversial plans to redevelop the site of the Black Horse at Grimston were thrown out by Melton Borough Council’s planning committee in July.

The current owners had wanted to convert some of the main building to a two-bed flat, transform an outbuilding into a two-bed home and keep part of the pub on a much smaller footprint.

They said the pub was no longer viable in its current form because of a lack of support from customers.

But villagers, who mounted a successful campaign to prevent the scheme, are confident it can once again be the profitable concern it has been in the past.

The Black Horse, which was a popular destination pub serving quality food and was named in the prestigious AA Pub Guide for 2020, was registered by the council as an asset of community value (ACV) earlier this year.

The Black Horse Community Group was formed to safeguard the pub’s future and its chair, Mike Petty, said this week: “The Black Horse was the beating heart of our community and we want to work with the owners to bring it back into use.

“It is clear there is overwhelming support for saving the pub.

“We are exploring ways in which it can reopened, perhaps through a community purchase or working with the current owners to open it again.”

A questionnaire is now being circulated among residents of Grimston, Saxelbye and Shoby, and further afield, in a bid to gather views on what services they would like the pub to offer if it reopened.

Donations are also sought to pay the cost of a property valuation and a survey.

Members have been given access to the building by the owners so it can be valued.

Mr Petty added: “We are thrilled by the support we have received so far, but we are now seeking further support from the local and wider communities.”

Anyone who would like to complete the questionnaire is asked to email [email protected] for details. Donate money using the sort code 05-00-05 and account number 04713824.