17th century pub to get a re-Boot as community steps in

Villagers at Orleton, near Ludlow, have completed the purchase of the grade II listed Boot Inn, which closed in June 2017.

There had been fears it might have been redeveloped for housing, but the parish council listed it as a ‘community asset’, giving the community first option to buy the pub.

It has now been bought by a 'community benefit society' set up to preserve its role as a pub and restaurant, and it is hoped it will be open again by the summer.

It had been on the market advertised with an asking price of £550,000.

Society chairman John Alderman paid tribute to everybody who had supported the campaign.

He said: "We have received invaluable support from so many individuals and organisations without whom our vision to return the Boot to its former glory could not have been achieved."

Mr Alderman hoped the Boot could now become more than just a pub, operating as a cafe in the daytime and as a meeting place for special interest groups, a venue for festivals.

He said special thanks to those who had bought shares in the scheme.

“Their belief in the project and generosity exceeded our expectations," he said, adding that there was still an opportunity for people to buy shares..

"The more invested the less we have to borrow to complete the refurbishment," he said.

"Now the hard work begins to immediately protect against any further damage and then refurbish the buildings."

Mr Alderman said the immediate priority was to replace the roof, which was a matter of urgency.

The windows also needed replacing, along with work to shore up the listed 'single cell building', reputed to be the smallest dwelling in Herefordshire.

Mr Alderman said the group would be looking for a tenant to take on and manage the business.

John Alderman said the site also needed a major tidy-up, and was hoping volunteers would come forward for a 'fun weekend'.