MP is first to invest in community pub plan

PLANS BY a small North Yorkshire community to buy and renovate a pub have been boosted by an MP.

Rishi Sunak, the Conservative MP for Richmond, became the first to buy a share in the Green Dragon in the village of Exelby as part of a scheme launched by residents to raise funds for an ambitious renovation.

As reported by

last month, Exelby Green Dragon Community Pub Ltd has been formed as a not-for-profit community benefit society so that residents can revive the pub, re-establish a community shop and cafe and provide affordable housing.

After meeting with residents, Mr Sunak said: “Pubs play a vital role in rural communities and I know from my recent pub survey how transformative communityowned pubs can be. “I was pleased to be able to assist the trustees in their negotiations to agree a deal for the purchase and I urge local people to get behind the team who have done a tremendous job in getting the project to this stage.” The share offer is intended to raise about £300,000 by the end of August. The minimum stake is £500. John Walker, secretary of Exelby Green Dragon Community Pub Ltd, said: “Anyone can invest in the pub, not just local residents. Already we have had people investing from as far away as the New Forest. This is a chance to own a little piece of Yorkshire and a big part of our community.”