Campaigners have called on North Yorkshire Council to help them negotiate a purchase of a former pub in Kirkby Malzeard.

The Henry Jenkins Community Pub Group has campaigned to reopen the former Henry Jenkins pub on Main Street in the village.

The former public house dates back to the 18th century, but has been closed since 2011.

Since then, campaigners and owner of the site, David Fielder, have been in bitter battle over moves to save the inn.

Now, the pub group has called on the council to help with negotiations with the site owner.

In a recent email to Richard Flinton, chief executive of the council, Richard Sadler, chair of the campaign group, said it was the right time to make a move to save the pub.

The email, which has been seen by the Stray Ferret, said:

The council has previously offered to mediate between the two parties.

The move comes after campaigners were given a boost after a government planning inspector rejected plans to convert part of the pub into a holiday cottage.

Justin Claybourn, who owns part of the Henry Jenkins pub, appealed against a North Yorkshire Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the scheme.

In a decision notice, Michelle Clowes, a government planning inspector, said the development would “prejudice the ability of the Henry Jenkins Inn to operate viably as a public house”.

At the time, Mr Sadler described the decision as a “huge boost” to the group’s campaign.

The pub group has so far raised around £150,000 in deposits from local supporters towards the cost of purchase and refurbishment of the Henry Jenkins as a community-owned pub, bistro and coffee shop.

Look out for a longer interview with the Henry Jenkins Campaign Group on the Stray Ferret next week.