Local MP Andrew Jones joined Scotton residents at the re-opening of the Guy Fawkes Arms which only months ago had seemed certain to close.
The pub had been the subject of a planning application by its owners Punch Taverns to demolish it and build a house on the site.
But the community came together with the support of Mr Jones to use new localism legislation to register the pub as a ‘community asset’. This was the first stage in what turned out to be a successful bid to save the Guy Fawkes.
And on Friday evening at the grand re-opening, Andrew Jones joined regulars, local people and the new team running the pub of Peter and Lisa Walker, Martin Peachey and Peter’s sister Louise to raise a glass to the pub’s success.
Andrew Jones MP
Andrew Jones MP said:
Rural pubs can be the backbone of the community in small villages and there was an outcry when the Guy Fawkes was threatened with closure. Now, thanks to local action and a great new team the pub is open again and providing a great village welcome to locals and visitors alike.
It is great too that Peter’s son, Sam, will be an apprentice chef at the pub. It’s a real family affair.
Peter Walker added:
We have put blood, sweat and toil into refurbishing the pub and the support from local people has been outstanding. The Guy Fawkes Arms is now a real community venture – our feet haven’t touched the ground since we re-opened. We are so grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to support us and the pub.
Photograph: Andrew Jones and the new Guy Fawkes team.
