Community groups invited to bid as South Cambridgeshire village pub put up for sale

Community groups are being given a chance to put together bids for a South Cambridgeshire village pub after it was put up for sale.

The White Lion in Sawston has been declared an asset of community value by Sawston Parish Council.

Following the declaration, South Cambridgeshire District Council accepted the pub onto its list of community assets in December 2020.

When listed assets are put up for sale, community groups are given time to bid for them.

If an eligible group with a local connection steps forward with intent to bid for the pub before 5pm on Monday, April 24, the sale will be paused until Wednesday, September 13.

This gives the local group time to prepare a business plan and raise finances to make a bid, but they must still compete on the open market and the owner does not have to accept this bid.

The district council’s lead cabinet member for communities, Cllr Bill Handley, said: “Pubs are often at the heart of their communities and understandably valued by residents. Now that the owner of The White Lion in Sawston has signalled their intention to sell, and because it is listed as an asset of community value, our role is to make sure that the people of the village are aware of the situation and see whether the community would like to purchase it.

“If there is a group who wants to keep this pub as a community asset, I would encourage them to step forwards now and formally register their intention to bid. By doing so, it will then give them the time to prepare a business plan and raise funds to subsequently make a bid. South Cambridgeshire District Council’s communities officers will offer help and advice to any group thinking of bidding.”

Independently owned, the grade II-listed former coaching inn dates in part back to the 17th century.

It won Cambridge & District CAMRA Community (Rural) Pub of the Year in 2018 and its Dark Beer Pub of the Year award in 2020 and reopened last year following a refurbishment. It is well-known for its visiting food trucks.

Cllr Libby Earle, the Liberal Democrat district councillor for Sawston, added: “Identifying an amenity, such as a village pub, as an asset of community value provides breathing space for the community to acquire it and continue its use. It would be wonderful if this could happen for the White Lion.”

Cllr Brian Milnes, a fellow Lib dem district councillor for Sawston, added: “Sawston is a large village that has unfortunately seen a few pubs close in recent years. It would be disappointing to lose another one. The White Lion does have currently unused planning permission to add accommodation too, so there is certainly some untapped potential there.”

If no bids are received, the pub will enter a period of protection, ending on Friday, September 13, 2024. During this period, the pub can be sold to anyone, on the open market, without further delay.

The government legislation was put into place to help communities to take over assets and land of local significance, such as local pubs, shops, and recreation grounds, and keep them in community use.

Further details are available at scambs.gov.uk/acv. The council’s website also has details of the right to bid process and assets listed on the register in South Cambridgeshire.

To put forward an expression of interest, email partnerships@scambs.gov.uk or send a letter to:

Community Right to Bid, Communications and Communities Team, South Cambridgeshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne CB23 6EA.