Cheers! Villagers club together to reopen local pub
A VILLAGE is set to reopen its last remaining pub after locals raised £72,000 in just two weeks to buy it.
Volunteers have now begun work on the 150-year-old Three Horse Shoes and hope to be pulling pints for customers within months.
They have spent thousands of pounds of their own money on securing the freehold and are now giving up their time to refurbish the building in Cefn Cribwr, near Bridgend.
Former regular Geraint Mason, who organised the purchase, said the 30-strong group – which includes people in their 30s to their 70s – saved the pub a day before it was due to be auctioned off.
He had rallied support for the purchase and asked for pledges via Facebook and word and mouth.
“The average pledge was about £3,000 and a couple of £5,000. As a couple, we have put in £10,000,” he said. The pub closed five years ago. Geraint said around half of the money for the refurbishment still needs to be raised so they are selling horse shoes and commemorative plaques for £50 each, which will be displayed in the pub once it opens.
“We would like to think we’ll be open in six months’ time,” he said.
For details go to the Three Horse Shoes Community Pub page on Facebook