Share in the successof the Sebastopol Inn

Residents were shocked when the award-winning Sebastopol Inn in Minting closed last year.

Since then, a series of meetings have resulted in a management committee being formed with the intention of buying the inn as a community venue.

And this Saturday, the group will launch a community share offer with the aim of raising £250,000.

Shares will be available at Minting Village Hall in Bricken Field on Saturday from 10-4pm.

A spokesman for the group said: “Our vision is to buy The Sebastopol Inn for the benefit of the community and to secure its future as a thriving community pub.

“It is an opportunity to save an integral part of our village.

“We would like as many people as possible to invest in our pub to make it a successful community venture.

“Everyone is welcome to attend to find out more about this exciting community project.”

It is understood there are proposals to include a small shop and a post office within the pub.

They confirmed a business plan and share prospectus have been developed and will be available at the launch. Members of the committee will explain their plans in more detail - and answer questions.

The inn is up for sale and after the owners ceased trading in August, 2016.

A working group was set up to look at the possibility of the community buying the pub from the owners.

The group received support from the Plunkett Foundation and from Minting and Gautby Parish Council.

Following a public meeting held on 17 November, the group received over 70 completed expression of interest forms. Over 98% of people were in favour of proceeding with the community pub project and 82% expressed an interest in becoming a member of a Community Benefit Society which was officially registered on January 9.