NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING RE INTENDED DISPOSAL OF THE BLACKSMITHS ARMS – Thursday 29th August 2024 @ 7pm

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INTENDED DISPOSAL OF THE BLACKSMITHS ARMS

Background

The Blacksmiths Arms public house in Flaxton closed at the end of  August 2021.

In the village plan consultation exercise carried out in Summer 2022:

  • 74% of villagers said they would like to meet up regularly for drinks;
  • 70% of residents said they would like to meet regularly for food;
  • 75% villagers said they were in favour of the community buying the Blacksmiths Arms to meet these requirements if it came onto the market.

On the basis of this strength of feeling the Parish Council renewed the Asset of Community Value Listing (ACV) on the Blacksmiths Arms in August 2022 for a period of five years.

When notified that the public house is to be sold the ACV would give the Flaxton Community a six-month period in which to prepare a bid to buy the Blacksmiths Arms during which time the public house could not be sold to another buyer (subject to a small number of exceptions).

The intention to submit a bid would need to be confirmed by the community within six weeks of being notified of the intention to sell.

The public house could still be marketed to other interested parties during the six-month period and the owner has no obligation to sell the public house to the community even if they make an offer.

Notice of Intended Sale

The Blacksmiths owner gave notice of her intention to dispose of the public house on 1st August 2024.

The Parish Council were notified by North Yorkshire Council on 8th August 2024 and the community now has until 11th September 2024 to decide whether to exercise their right to submit a bid to buy the Blacksmiths Arms and trigger a ‘moratorium’ period’ ending on 31st January 2025.

Public Meeting

Flaxton Parish Council are therefore holding a public meeting for Flaxton and local area residents in Flaxton Village Hall on Thursday 29th August 2024 at 07:00 pm to determine whether they want to submit a bid for the public house and, if so, who will manage the bid process and ensure that sufficient funds can be raised.

More Information

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