Community aims to raise £300,000 to create Great Ouseburn nature reserveBlack Lion at Skelton saved after community takeover

The Black Lion at Skelton-on-Ure looks set to re-open after an 18-month battle by the local community to save it.

The pub between Ripon and Boroughbridge, closed in December 2019 after it was bought by Admiral Taverns.

A public meeting nearly two years ago discovered widespread support for reopening it as a community hub and pub.

In September 2022, the Black Lion was listed as an asset of community value, which gave villagers time to raise funds and bid to buy it.

The Black Lion pictured prior to its closure.

An asset of community value is defined by North Yorkshire Council as ‘a building or land having value to the community that furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community”.

By July last year, pledges accumulated by shareholder contribution had reached £240,000.

The campaign was then boosted by a £300,000 grant from the community ownership fund, which is a £150 million fund set up by the government in 2021 to help community groups take ownership of assets.

It meant the group, which received the backing of Skipton and Ripon Conservative MP Julian Smith, could bid to buy the pub from Admiral Taverns.

After legal delays, the community group announced today it now officially owned the pub.

Community pubs are owned and managed democratically by members of the community. They are leased to tenants who operate them with a community vision.

Rents are set at levels that allow tenants to make surpluses that can be used to maintain the upkeep of the building and pay interest to shareholders

The Black Lion, shuttered, closed, and up for sale

A spokesperson for the Black Lion pub community group said:

“We are pleased to announce that the community of Skelton-on-Ure have just taken ownership of the Black Lion pub. This has come after a huge amount of work by the Skelton-on-Ure Pub and Hub steering group. Thanks to all the people who have helped us achieve this result – it is now great news to finally have the keys.”

“The real work is only now about to commence as the fabric of the building has suffered during the years of closure and general lack of upkeep. The volunteer management team will now welcome any volunteer help, contributions and donations.”

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