RESIDENTS of a Worcestershire village have formed a working group to save their local pub from permanent closure.

The Bell at Pensax, near Wyre Forest, closed its doors in October 2022 having served the local community for over 180 years.

Having achieved Asset of Community Value status for the country inn in December 2022, the group now plans to sell shares and purchase The Bell through a Community Benefit Society. 

Anyone aged 16 or over can go to www.savethebellatpensax.co.uk and pledge their intention to invest between £250 and £25,000.

The pub previously held a popular summer beer festival and was once voted “West Midlands Pub of the Decade” by CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale).

A public meeting was held earlier this month in Abberley Village Hall with over 150 residents present to hear about the proposed community purchase.

Toby Wise, the chairman of the working group said: “We were overwhelmed by the support from everyone.

"We were even receiving pledges to our website before the meeting ended. 

"This is our one chance to buy The Bell and run it for the community.

"Our thanks to Mark Haslam from The Brewers Arms community pub in West Malvern, and to Nick Comley from Community First in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, for their ongoing support and advice”.