Stuart Anderson MP ‘Delighted’ as Newcastle’s Crown Inn Reclaimed for the Community
A prized community asset in South Shropshire is due to be saved, after an application for funding that was backed by former MP Philip Dunne and continued to be supported by Stuart Anderson MP has been approved. It was announced on 23rd December 2024 that Newcastle on Clun Parish Council has been awarded £269,892 for its local project, ‘Reclaiming The Crown Inn for the Community.’
Former MP Philip Dunne supported the initial application, after he was contacted by fellow residents, Peter Yeoward and Steve Burge. Stuart continued to assist the campaign, requesting regular updates on the application’s status from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The 16th century Crown Inn closed in February 2023. Stuart said the successful bid reflects the power of local communities to reverse the decline in the closure of valued assets – including public houses in rural areas, after 400 of them shut their doors in 2024.
The funding is from the Community Ownership Fund (COF), which was launched by the last government in 2021 with £150 million to ensure communities can support and continue benefiting from the local facilities, community assets, and amenities that are most important to them.
The Fund was an integral part of the last government’s levelling up agenda to restore pride in local communities. The latest announcement means £135 million has been awarded to 409 projects across the UK - including £93.4 million allocated to support 283 projects across England.
In August, Stuart had called on Ministers to continue funding schemes that have saved hundreds of cherished assets for the benefit of local communities. It is part of his plan to unlock rural prosperity, with local communities put back in charge of driving positive local changes.
Information for groups wishing to take over a local pub, shop, or green space for the community can be found at www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/take-over-a-local-pub-shop-or-green-space-for-the-community.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“I was delighted to support this bid to reclaim The Crown Inn for the community. The project proves the power of local people to save valued community assets. I want the government to continue to equip rural communities like South Shropshire with the tools that are needed to ensure locally valued community assets are not lost by becoming derelict or being put up for sale following a change of use application.”
Former MP Philip Dunne said:
“I am delighted that all the hard work put in to make a comprehensive plan to reopen The Crown as a community asset has paid off with this successful grant award. South Shropshire has once again shown determined local communities like Newcastle-on-Clun can really pull together to save valued local pubs to put the heart back into the village.”
Steve Burge said:
“We are grateful for being one of the lucky recipients of these funds and know that our community, given the continued interest in the revival of the pub, will be committed to ensuring this community asset becomes once again, a well-loved attraction in the Upper Clun Valley. If anyone would like to support our project or be added to our mailing list, please send an email to [email protected]."
