VIDEO: AFTER nearly four years, the fight to save the Raven in Inn at Glazebury, Warrington, will reach a critical stage towards the end of November.
After years of campaigning the Raven was purchased by two local families in March, in order to save it from demolition. Since then, volunteers have been hard at work clearing and stripping out the Raven.
Work is close to being completed in repairing and strengthening the roof, along with structural work in the pub.
In addition, a Georgian fireplace has been recreated and the old chimney opened up, in order to house a double-sided wood burner.
The point has now been reached where full renovation can begin.
To that end, the management committee, which will be responsible for overseeing the Raven, launched a community shares offer in October. That offer is due to conclude on the 28th November.
Spokesperson Peter Sturman commented: “This really is crunch time for the Raven. Our community has swept us along to the point where securing the long term future of the Raven is within our grasp.
“We need to raise an optimum amount of £243,000 in order to renovate and set up the Raven.
“We are doing this by a tried and trusted method of asking our community to buy ‘community shares’ in the enterprise.
“We have made a very good start, raising over £100,000 in the first four days. It is vitally important that we get it over the line. We cannot come so far to then fall at the last hurdle.
“Having achieved what we have, since January 2019, this is now about securing the long term future of the Raven.
“We ask everyone to seriously consider investing in the future of the Raven. To actually become part of the history of the Raven.
There are benefits too.
If you become a shareholder you stand to get at least 30% tax relief on your investment. You also become a member of the cooperative running the Raven – you can have your say in the Raven’s future. If you invest £500 or more, you will receive 10% discount on drinks and food, at the Raven.
Peter added: “We have said before, “let’s get the job done.
“Come on everybody. Just a small investment from a lot of people will play such a big part in our continuing history and heritage.”
You can get more information via the Raven website:
www.theraveninn.org
Or via crowdfunder:
https://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-raven-inn-community-pub
