A village’s bid to buy a much-loved community pub has raised £75,000 in just 10 days.
A group has been set up to buy The Sun Inn in Dent, which is up for sale.
The inn, first recorded as a pub in 1523, is up for sale and villagers need pledges of at least £150,000 to get a chance of match-funding from a Government grant.
The surprise sum was revealed at a public meeting held in Dent Memorial Hall by the working group campaigning to buy the pub.
If they achieve their goal the villagers hope to buy and run The Sun as a community pub, meaning the profits get reinvested in the business or go to good causes in the village.
Working group chairman Andrew Povey said: “We’re chuffed to bits about the amount pledged so far in such a short time.
“It just goes to show how passionate our residents and visitors are about The Sun.”
The group said the Sun Inn was a magnet for visitors to Dent, a village near Kirkby Lonsdale, and had attractions such as old beams, real fires and a mounting block.
It sits at the centre of the village’s designated Conservation Area, which has a cobbled main street.
Mr Povey added: “Community pubs have been launched all over the country and are hugely successful. We have strong support in our community but still need more pledges to reach our target.”
Anyone interested in more information should email saveoursun2024@gmail.com or visit www.dentcommunitypub.co.uk
