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12
Oct 2021
Future of Kirkby Malzeard pub to be made in weeks
A decision on whether a Harrogate district pub under threat from demolition will regain its protected status will be made by next month.
The Henry Jenkins Inn at Kirkby Malzeard has been at the centre of a long-fought battle between villagers and a developer since it closed in 2011 and was later removed as an asset of community value by Harrogate Borough Council.
In a latest attempt to secure its future, a petition from the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group was delivered to a council meeting last Wednesday. The petition urged the authority to “do the right thing” and reinstate the 18th century pub’s protected status.
The council has now issued a statement saying it will make a decision “no later than 10 November”.
A council spokesperson said:
The status of an asset of community value means buildings must be used by the community and are protected from a change of use or demolition.
Read more:
- Chancellor’s fund brings hope to Kirkby Malzeard pub campaigners
- Bitter battle over former Kirkby Malzeard pub enters new phase
- Campaigners hand in petition to save Kirkby Malzeard pub
If approved, the campaign group hopes to buy and take over the running of the pub for which it says it has the backing of £237,000 in share pledges.
One of the Harrogate district's oldest pubs
The Henry Jenkins is named after the Yorkshire super-centenarian that legend states lived to be 169 years old.
It is one of the oldest inns in the Harrogate district and is the last of several pubs in the area named after Mr Jenkins, who is reputed to have lived from 1500 to 1670.
Despite its rich history, members of the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group say it has now fallen into a state of disrepair and is in need of a change of ownership in order to bring it back to its former glory.
Speaking at last week’s meeting, group member Richard Sadler said the pub was an “intrinsic part of the history, culture and identity” of Kirkby Malzeard, but had recently become a “blight” on the village.
He said:
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