Boost for village pub plans

Villagers' plans to save their local by buying it and running themselves have received an encouraging boost after more than �100,000 was pledged by supporters.

Villagers' plans to save their local by buying it and running themselves have received an encouraging boost after more than �100,000 was pledged by supporters.

The groundswell in support has come since a packed public meeting to discuss the proposal for the White Horse, in Upton, was held in April.

The future of the Chapel Lane pub had been thrown into doubt by the inability of present landlord Ray Norman to sell it, despite it being on the market for more than 12 months. Mr Norman, 67, who has run it for four decades, wants to sell up because of failing health.

Due to the success of the appeal, campaigners have called a second public meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday, June 15, when it is hoped to form a management committee.

Kevin Cotton, the director of a construction firm, who has lived in the village near Acle for 18 years, said: “We were looking to exceed �100,000 and we are delighted with the response.”

In a step agreed at the first public meeting, a valuation of the pub - which has been on the market for �350,000 - was being carried out.

Mr Cotton said they had also begun to approach possible corporate partners to further boost the total.

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