FOLLOWING a successful community shares offer, the cooperative running the Raven Inn at Glazebury has now secured £102,000 of government funding from the Community Ownership Fund (COF).
The COF is a £150 million fund over 4 years to support community groups across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets that are at risk of being lost to the community. It is part of the government’s levelling up initiative.
Spokesperson Peter Sturman said: “This is absolutely fantastic news, we are bowled over by it. There was never any question the Raven qualified for the COF, however, we were aware the first round (last year) was massively oversubscribed and we were advised that we were unlikely to be successful.
Since submitting the application in August, we have worked on the assumption that we would not get it.
“One of the things we had to demonstrate was the level of community support. Well, that was easy for us. We have said, time and time again, this is all about our amazing community.
“Without the four years of community action, resolve and commitment we would not have secured this grant.
“We now have sufficient funds to fully restore the Raven and its kitchen and provide what our community has always wanted from the Raven Inn Community Pub.
“We will, of course, always be prudent. We fully recognise the responsibility to our shoulders in handling the funds entrusted to us from those shareholders and now, the government.
Peter added: “This time last year we were still being told the Raven was going to be flattened and replaced by ten nondescript houses. We have come a heck of a long way since then.
“We have always been cautious. Not taking anything for granted.
“However we can now declare our fundraising a total success and say, with confidence, the Raven will be up and running, fully functional as our community pub. Fantastic news!”
