It was once a proud inn with a great reputation for good food and a friendly atmosphere.
But four years ago, South Walsham’s last remaining pub, the Ship Inn, shut its doors for what seemed like the final time.
Now, hopes to restore the premises are going “full steam ahead” with locals determined to purchase it and reopen as a community enterprise.
The pub - a short walk from South Walsham broad and once popular with boaters - had been designated an Asset of Community Value by Broadland District Council.
This places a six-month moratorium on the current owners selling the pub to anyone other than a community group.
As a result, planning for the purchase, refurbishment and subsequent reopening has been gathering pace, following the launch of campaign group Save the Ship Inn.
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A recent public meeting was attended by more than 100 people and initial pledges to invest have broken the £100,000 mark.
A spokesman for the group said: “This is a great start to reaching the £150,000 to £200,000 investor funding target.
“Together with a hoped-for substantial grant, this is a major step to reaching the target of £550,000 needed to purchase the pub building, refurbish it and reopen it next year.”
The small voluntary group has been formally incorporated as a Community Benefit Society.
It is now preparing to submit an application for a £250,000 grant from the government’s Community Ownership Fund (COF) and to the Plunkett Foundation for support and mentoring.
It has already been awarded a £10,000 revenue grant from the COF's support programme.
The spokesman added: “There is still a huge amount of work to be done and a long and tricky voyage ahead but the stormy clouds that threatened to see the Ship Inn sink forever have subsided and new optimism is building for clear winds and sunny skies."
- To get involved, or to find out more information, visit savetheswship@gmail.com or search for Save 'The Ship' (South Walsham) on Facebook.
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