The Miners Arms Community Pub Ltd (MACPL), a society formed by Nenthead residents, is edging closer to reclaiming a local pub.

The Miners Arms, opened nearly 200 years ago, shut its doors in 2020 and has not reopened since.

Residents banded together to establish the MACPL with the primary aim of purchasing and managing The Miners Arms as a community asset.

Their ambitious effort to salvage the establishment recently propelled them to submit an application for a grant worth more than £360,000 from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund (COF).

The eagerly anticipated result is due in May.

In the run-up to the application, the society was fortunate to secure a grant and the guidance of a specialist advisor from the Community Ownership Fund support programme.

This backing significantly boosted the quality of the bid.

Additionally, the initiative was granted a £8,500 Community Grant from the Westmorland and Furness Council as a contribution towards buying the property.

Hexham Courant: The group aims to 'relight the Miners flame'The group aims to 'relight the Miners flame' (Image: MACPL)

Simon Walker, chair of MACPL, said: "The last eight months have been a whirlwind of activity as the Management Board and I have worked towards a community buy out of the Miners Arms, Nenthead.

"We were expecting a steep learning curve and that is exactly what we have had."

The society’s future plan involves launching a community share offer to accumulate the £95,000 balance needed to match the COF grant.

This will enable them to purchase, refurbish and reopen The Miners Arms.

The Co-operatives UK Community Shares Standard Mark has been bestowed onto the share offer.

This ensures investors are presented with all the facts before making a decision.

The share offer will be launched at a community meeting in The Hive, Nenthead, on May 4.

The shares are worth £1 each, with a minimum investment of 100 shares.

The society encourages everyone, not just villagers, to consider buying shares.

Mr Walker said: "Our supporters pledged £85,000 in December and it’s now time to turn those pledges into cash.

"We hope those that pledged to buy shares can increase that amount and those that didn’t pledge come forward to buy shares.

"It is now time to relight the Miners flame."

All queries, or offers to help can be emailed to minersarms.nenthead@gmail.com.