Villagers in Ash believe forming a Community Interest Company (CIC) will give them the best chance to return the Chequer Inn to its former glory.

An action group has already been set up following a vote at a well attended public meeting at St Nicholas Church, on Thursday.

The Save the Chequer Inn steering group called the meeting following the announcement the owner of the 15th century pub had informed Dover District Council of his intention to sell, after the planning committee refused permission to convert it into a house.

Members will now respond to the council expressing the community’s interest in purchasing the Chequer Inn.

“It was believed that the best long-term option for the village and residents was for it to be community owned and run with profits being fed back into the pub and village...” - Matthew Titterton

Member Matthew Titterton said: “The pub has already been made an asset of community value (ACV). Under the terms of the ACV, if a CIC is formed before April 12 this would trigger a ‘moratorium’ period for the community to raise funds, which would last until September 1, 2016.

“The owner could not sell the pub to anyone else during this period. However, the owner is not obliged to sell to the community, and after September 1 could again sell the pub on the open market.”

The group did explore another option - for it to be sold on to an interested party who could buy it outright as well as run it.

Mr Titterton said: “It was put to the village that if they wanted to undertake the ongoing work of forming a CIC and raising funds, this was new territory and a new body would need to be created for this purpose.

“There have been several financial pledges already from some villagers, and we haven’t even started asking, so we know that there is an appetite in the village for this - but it needs co-ordination and the current steering groups work schedules mean that they cannot commit the time needed.”

A vote was taken and it was decided to trigger the moratorium period to give villagers a chance to raise funds before the September 1 deadline.

Mr Titterton said: “It was believed that the best long-term option for the village and residents was for it to be community owned and run with profits being fed back into the pub and village, either through individual investors, or village charities and trusts.”

A number of residents have already expressed an interest in heading-up the group to look into the options of forming a CIC. They are currently filling in the legal forms and creating the company, before informing DDC to trigger the full moratorium.

David Jones of the new Chequer Inn Action Group said: “This group will provide a vehicle for the community to complete its preparation for CIC registration, to raise necessary funds to enable the purchase of the Chequer Inn, to develop an appropriate sound business plan and strategy calendar plan.

“The ultimate rationale of this group is to fully investigate the possibility of restoring the Chequer Inn to its original function and standing in the community.”