AFTER a few fairly hectic months the cooperative that will be running the Raven Inn, helping save it from demolition, is taking stock and preparing for the next big push.
The Raven raised £200,000 with its community shares offer, then secured a grant of just over £100,000 from the Community Ownership Fund, which is part of the government’s levelling up scheme.
Spokesperson, Peter Sturman said: “So much has happened over the last three months, all of it positive.
It is a time to refocus then make the dream of our community a reality. It is worth noting that not only was our share offer a tremendous success, but our share prospects was awarded the ‘Standard Mark’, acknowledging it as the best it could be.
“Following on from that we have been recognised, by the government, with the award of a very prestigious grant.
“The committee responsible for the Raven has always said that we represent and reflect our community.
“The heart and soul of the Raven lies with our local community. We are only where we are because of that support.
“We fully recognise our responsibility in dealing with funds entrusted to us by our community and the government.
“We have been putting procedures and safeguards in place, not only to ensure everything is done properly, but to evidence and demonstrate that is so.
“Those structures are now in place.”
Peter added: “We still plan to have the Raven open in time for Easter. We recognise that is challenging, but we prefer a hard deadline. To take a quote from elsewhere, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”
“It has taken a while for the owners and our dedicated volunteers to ensure the building is structurally secure. That has been of paramount importance. For example there was one wall where you could literally rock it from side to side, by hand.
“All that painstaking, detailed and important work has now been completed. We are now renovating the pub and the kitchen, turning a shell into our community pub.
“Whilst our fundraising is done, we are keeping the Founders & Supporters wall open until just after Valentine’s Day.
“What better way to declare your undying love than to demonstrate it on the wall inside the Raven forever more?”
