The race is now on to stump up the cash needed to buy a much-loved pub which has been at the “heart of the community” for hundreds of years.

Stone Parish Council is fighting along local residents to raise funds to purchase the Lads of the Village pub in Elizabeth Street, Stone.

The historic pub, built in 1793 and recently listed as an asset of community value by the council, holds significant historic and social importance for the Stone community, near Dartford.

In a full council meeting on Wednesday (July 24) passionate representations were made by residents and council members who unanimously agreed to explore ways to restore the pub.

The decision triggers a formal process, providing a six-month period to raise the necessary funds and negotiate a sale.

The boozer, listed at a freehold price of £375,000, will require an estimated additional investment of £350,000 to £400,000 for renovation and refurbishment, bringing the total potential investment to around £750,000.

It won’t be an easy task, but we will do what we can to explore all the options available

The council now needs to develop a business proposal and look at potential funding through methods such as grants, Community Infrastructure Levy funding, investment, and possible crowdfunding.

However, even if they were to gather the cash needed it doe not mean the freeholder is obliged to sell the asset to the council and its community backers.

Council Chair, Cllr Jessica McQueen said: “There is evidently much local support for saving the Lads of the Village pub, which has been at the heart of the community for hundreds of years.

“The parish population continues to grow and to thrive all communities need places to come together to socialise, provide support, and enjoy some leisure time.

“It won’t be an easy task, but we will do what we can to explore all the options available.”

The two-storey detached building includes a two-bedroom flat with customer car parking amounting to 12 spaces. At the rear is a covered patio area and to the left is a lawned beer garden.

There are also a number of sheds and outbuildings all of which are in a dilapidated state.

The land to the west of the site is described as not forming part of the public house but is subject to planning permission granting a development of two houses.

Stone councillor and Lads of the Village regular, Paul Cutler previously spoke of his sadness at the pub’s closure.

Speaking earlier this year, he said: “Since the pub shut it has become a very sad eyesore with its boarded windows and doors.

“Unfortunately, it has also attracted drug dealing outside as it is a dark and unused space by the station.

“The saddest part of its closing has been the fragmentation of the punters who have now had to use other venues when possible and using cabs and public transport to get there.”

The 80-year-old former landlord Sean Holland celebrated 45 years at the helm of the Lads of the Village on July 4 last year and made the pub cash-only in its last few months to cut costs and support staff.

The pub called last orders on New Year’s Eve.