RESIDENTS of an Allen Valleys village are planning to set up a community group to reinstate its popular pub.
The Crown in Catton closed in June 2019 after years of declining visitor numbers and reduced opening hours.
But now a survey has been created for residents to provide their opinions on the future purpose of the building.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, set up the survey and said more than 100 responses had been received, with 91 per cent of the responders positive about forming a community ownership bid.
Successful community purchase schemes in Tynedale in recent years include the Gun Inn in Ridsdale, the Crown in Humshaugh and the Rose and Crown in Slaley.
The spokesman said: “It has been on the market for a year and no one has made an offer.
“My hope is that if it does become community owned then that would create a feeling of local responsibility and more people would become involved in it.”
The survey is available to view online via the Crown Community Facebook page and in paper form.
“It will all be done in the interests of the community,” the spokesman said. “The community will lead it and it has to be what the people want. Everyone has got their right to have their say.”
The deadline for responses in Tuesday, June 23 and the full survey findings will be presented soon after.
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