Local politicians from the region have given their backing to the new community public house at Rudston, near Bridlington and gave the enterprise a big thumbs up after a recent visit.
East Yorkshire MP, Sir Greg Knight, together with East Riding of Yorkshire Council leader, Cllr Jonathan Owen and ward Councillor, Cllr Jane Evison, took time out to visit the Bosville Arms at Rudston which has re-opened as a new community pub, serving Rudston and the surrounding area, not only as a traditional public house but also as a broader village community hub.
The legal framework to allow a local community to buy a local asset, such as a public house, was introduced by the Localism Act 2011, and the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations. These aim to encourage local communities to take over and run local assets.
Sir Greg said: “This law gives community groups the opportunity to nominate an asset to be an ‘asset of community value’, giving them time to prepare a bid and a business plan. Previously village campaigners had no opportunity or time to do this.
“All too often, developers take over local assets which are important to the community, and close them for other more developer-profitable uses, often against the wishes of local residents. The Localism Act aims to deter
this, and the Bosville Arms is a very good example of the scheme in operation”.
The politicians were given a warm welcome by Bosville Arms Community Group chairman, Ian Simmonds, and pub landlords Sharon and Martin Hinks, who have taken on the lease of the pub.
Sir Greg and Councillors Owen and Evison were given a tour of the premises and met members of staff and customers.
The politicians heard from Mr Simmonds of the considerable challenges that had already been overcome and the tasks that still lie ahead. After their tour, Sir Greg said: ‘A lot of hard work and effort has gone into this project and the new community pub is now not only a desirable asset to the village of Rudston, but also to the wider local area.
“It is clear the new team at the Bosville Arms is not only open for business, but they have the drive and energy to succeed and we wish the business well for the future.
