A woman from Newstead has launched a petition in the hope locals will back her plans to launch a new micropub in the village.
The village’s only pub, The Station Hotel, closed two years ago, which means residents now have to travel to Annesley Woodhouse for a drink.
Now Lorraine Horrocks has launched an online petition to encourage locals to get behind her idea of establishing a micropub at the village’s sports pavilion – which she says is hardly used.
She said: “Our village has over 1300 adult residents who have little means of connecting with others in their community.
“Our only village pub closed two years ago and is earmarked for demolition despite government policy which states such facilities should be protected in recognition of the vital role they play in communities.
“Driven by the passion I have for this community, I have devised a business plan to establish a micropub with the intention of getting people out of their houses and bringing this community back together.
“It will be a place where people can socialise after a hard day’s work over a pint or two, a place where people can enjoy the cricket matches on a Saturday afternoon and a place where we can reduce the current social isolation faced by many.”
Lorraine has selected the Newstead Sports Pavilion to house her latest venture which she says stands empty for the majority of the year.
Lorraine added: “The petition will demonstrate to Gedling Borough Council and elected members that this community is in favour of this and demand that elected members represent the views of their constituents, support entrepreneurship and allow the pavilion to be leased for use as a micropub to serve its community.”
Those interested in signing the petition can find it here: https://www.change.org/p/councillor-chris-barnfather-allow-the-development-of-a-micro-sports-pub-within-newstead-village-pavilion
I am totally supportive of this idea. The village does need a social setting as a community focus and I have met with Gedling Borough Council Officers, Mark Spencer MP and Lorraine to try and further her concept. I met wit Lorraine as recently as 27th April 2016 and Gedling Senior Officers on 28th April 2016 to advance her business plans, as I am sure that she will testify. As Leader of the Opposition Group on Gedling Borough Council I will continue to petition the Labour Administration to withdraw their veto of this project and to make the Gedling owned Sports Pavilion a true community hub for the benefit of the village as a whole and visiting sports teams as well. I am more than happy to present this petition, when completed, to the Leader of Gedling Borough Council, so please add your voice and support your community.
Councillor Chris Barnfather
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