Cherhill and Yatesbury Parish Council with support of the village, has submitted a new application to Wiltshire Council to continue to list The Black Horse pub as an Asset of Community Value.
The Black Horse is the only pub in Cherhill village and was first registered as an Asset of Community Value in June 2019. The registration lasts for five years, so the Parish Council has applied for this status to be contined.
If approved, the nomination would safeguard the long-term future of the pub by prohibiting the owners, Punch Taverns, from selling the property without notifying Wiltshire Council. This would then give Community interest groups a six-month period in which to bid for the property, provided they expressed their interest within six weeks.
Parish Clerk Peter Johnson told Calne News: "The Black Horse has served Cherhill and the wider community for over 250 years, being first recorded in 1768. It’s the sole survivor of four public houses that once operated in the village. It has served as a coaching inn, hotel and brewery but it’s primary role has always been as a public house and focal point for village activities."
"There are numerous references to the central role that the Black Horse has played in the day-to-day life of Cherhill, being a meeting place for village celebrations, Christmas and New Year, musical events and festivals, group meetings, quizzes and charity events.
"There are only a few meeting places in Cherhill, there is the church, the village hall and there is the Black Horse. It’s the only source of food and drink in the evenings. It would be unthinkable if it was to no longer continue in these roles, which is why the Parish Council is doing what it can to help protect it’s community asset status."
This week is the final week of The Black Horse being under the command of Andy Fletcher who has been the landlord there since September 2020. New tenants are due to be taking over the pub in April.
The decision deadline for Wiltshire Council is 7th May 2024.
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