Hebden Bridge Web

Pub co-op buy-out deal gets green light

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

A purchase offer to buy the Fox and Goose pub for the benefit of the community has now been formally accepted.

The Fox and Goose (Hebden Bridge) Ltd - the Society set up to buy and run the Fox as a co-operative pub - made an offer for the building after raising £130,000 through a community share issue. The target was set to cover the purchase and refurbishment costs.

The bank which currently owns the building has now approved the offer in writing. This means that the process can begin in earnest to buy the traditional real ale pub in Heptonstall Road, Hebden Bridge and bring it into community ownership.

Councillor Dave Young - a Director of the Society said, "This really is thrilling news - and I'd like to say a huge thank-you to all our supporters for one of the best Christmas presents we've had in a long time.

"As with the purchase of any property, there are still processes to go through, like conveyancing, surveys, searches and the usual formalities.

"But this means we can now set the wheels in motion – and if all goes to plan we hope to be in a position to open the Fox as West Yorkshire's first Co-operative pub in the New Year. It looks like 2014 could be a very happy New Year for the Fox and Goose."

Until the purchase goes through, the Fox will continue to operate as a pop-up bar run by the loyal bar team, which means that regulars will still be able to celebrate there over Christmas. When the sale goes through there will have to be a brief closure for refurbishments and restocking, but the aim is to keep the closure period to a minimum.