Pub could become a ‘community asset’

The Golden Lion on Morda Road in Oswestry has been put up for sale, and has now been designated an ‘asset of community value’ following a successful nomination by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

Shropshire Council has received notification from the current owner that the asset is to be disposed of through a sale of the freehold, and a timescale has now been set up.

There is currently a six-week period up to December 11 for any group to register an interest in becoming a potential bidder.

A Shropshire Council spokesperson said: “If no written request is received prior to the end of the interim moratorium as shown, the owner is free to sell the asset on the open market.”

If a written request is received from a potential bidder then there will be a full moratorium for six months running to April 30, 2018.

If this happens the owner will not be permitted to sell the asset, unless to a valid community group or through an exempt form of disposal, during this six month period.

A protection period will also be in place until April 30, 2019, which is following a full moratorium period. No further moratorium will be enforced on the sale of the asset for an 18-month period.

Therefore if the asset has remained unsold by the date shown, a second moratorium period will be enforced.

Valid community groups will have to meeting certain criteria to be in with a chance of having a bid accepted to move forward. It includes a parish council in whose area the asset lies or any community group that has a local connection, a charity, a company limited by guarantee, a community interest company or an industrial and provident society or community benefit society.

If you would like To be treated as a bidder you can contact the Community Right to Bid by writing to Strategic Asset Manager, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND or email communityright@shropshire.gov.uk by December 11.