RESIDENTS in Whiteshill are being urged to back a bid to save their only village pub.

The Star Inn in Whiteshill is up for sale and a group of villagers have now launched a campaign to buy the 300-year-old hostelry for the community.

“The pub has been for sale for a year, but has not attracted a sufficiently attractive offer,” said Mike Burchell, chair of the Save Our Star steering committee.

“If we take no action there is a high risk that The Star could close and this would be a catastrophic loss to our community,” said Mr Burchell.

“We have seen other pubs in our parish close in the past, but The Star Inn is our last and there will almost certainly never be another.”

The committee is now consulting with members the community to gauge the level of interest in buying the pub, which has a guide price of £300,000.

A questionnaire has been delivered to every home in the village, asking residents if they back the plans and what ideally they would like the pub to offer.

“It’s really important to get everyone’s opinion, even people who are not regular visitors to the pub,” said Mr Burchell.

As part of the survey, residents have also been asked if they would be interested in buying shares in the pub.

“This is a very valuable indicator as to whether a community bid would be likely to succeed,” said Mr Burchell.

The pub has already been named as an “Asset of Community Value” (ACV) by Stroud District Council, giving it protection in planning law and meaning the pub cannot be sold without the locals first having a chance to put in their own bid.

A meeting to discuss the plans is being held in the village hall on Thursday, January 16 at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

See saveourstarinn.co.uk/ for further details.

Photos by Simon Pizzey: simon-pizzey.squarespace.com/