A VITAL 500-year-old pub has finally reopened but more needs to be done to prevent permanent closure.

Residents in Cleeve Prior have opened The Kings Arms - a pub that has remained empty since it went up for sale in January last year.

The pub, a staple in the community since it opened in 1542, was forced to close when its previous owners struggled with rising costs and post-pandemic challenges.

It led residents to campaign to buy the watering hole to avoid it being permanently closed.

The residents' efforts had led to the pub's reopening ahead of schedule, which could boost their chances of raising enough money to buy it. 

A total of £500k will cover the cost of freehold and necessary repairs and renovations, and the villagers are expecting share offers of £50 each.

Brian Williams, Chair of the Cleeve Prior Community Pub Limited, said: “This target may seem daunting, but well over half of this amount has already been pledged, and it is in line with successful campaigns of other community-owned pubs in the region.

“Reopening the pub, with special events such as regular jazz nights, Cow nights on Mondays, and Curry nights on Thursdays while we market and sell shares, underlines our belief that the Kings Arms is a viable proposition.

"By collaborating with Dave Lewis (current licensee), we can ensure a seamless transition to a community-owned pub when the time comes.”

Cleeve Prior Community Pub Limited, a Community Benefit Society, is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.

Residents and the wider public are invited to invest in history by buying shares in the society.

The target is at least £200,000, which will be used alongside grant monies to enable the pub to be bought and sensitively refurbished.

Previously, resident Sarah Gallucci said: "It would be a tragedy if the UK lost yet another piece of our culture and heritage due to the cost of living.

"The pub acts as a hub for our community and, without it, we are just a collection of houses.

"It is a vital focal point for meeting neighbours and as we saw with Covid, isolation can have a big impact on mental health for people of all ages."