A rescue bid for a village pub once visited by King Charles could see its board appoint new directors.

The White Horse in Upton has been facing an uncertain future following concerns about its finances.

The pub, which is run by the White Horse Development Trust CIC, was bought by villagers after having previously been on the brink of closure in 2012.

In a statement, the company's directors - Sally Aldridge, John Brewer, David Cooke and Deborah Horne - said they have received nominations for ten potential new directors to fill six vacancies on the board.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The White Horse in Upton has been a community-run pub since 2012. The White Horse in Upton has been a community-run pub since 2012. (Image: Anthony Kelly)

READ MORE: Famous Norfolk pub once visited by royalty and gangsters threatened by closure

This was after a meeting at the pub organised by the 'Save the White Horse' campaign group on November 22.

"The board are duty bound to consider the views of all shareholders, and one possible way forward is to hold an election of new directors with every shareholder able to vote," the directors said.

"There is also a defined legal process that the board need to follow, which is what we are doing."

The directors urged people to use the pub and adjoining shop, as that was the best way to keep them open. 

READ MORE: Norfolk pub celebrates a decade since being saved by the community

Great Yarmouth Mercury: CHEERS! The White Horse, which was on the brink of closure, is rescued after being acquired by villagers in 2012. CHEERS! The White Horse, which was on the brink of closure, is rescued after being acquired by villagers in 2012. (Image: Denise Bradley)

In October, they appealed to shareholders for volunteers to come forward and join the board.

This was "to give greater resource to navigate these difficult times, and also for additional shareholder investment to bolster the company's cash flow", they said.

It has been reported that at this time last year the pub near Great Yarmouth was losing approximately £2,000 per week.

READ MORE: Tributes to 'Winkle' - the legendary landlord who broke the mould

The directors have blamed the losses on "difficult trading conditions" since coming out of Covid lockdowns, and soaring energy and food costs after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  

"Many pubs have been forced to close. The White Horse is not immune to these market conditions," they said. 

They also hailed the level of support from the wider Upton community as "heartening" and said if everybody pulled together they would be able to keep the business running.