Residents to raise £130k to save Fox and Goose pub in Hebden Bridge

A community share offer, launched with support from the Co-operative Enterprise Hub, has set about raising the money needed to buy and refurbish the West Yorkshire pub, which is listed as a community asset, after landlady Julia Warren announced she was too ill to continue to run it. It has been the site of an alehouse since the 14th Century.

Locals can buy shares from £100 to £20,000 to co-own the pub and become a member of the Fox and Goose (Hebden Bridge) Ltd. The share offer is open until 29 July 2013 or until the fundraising target is achieved.

Councillor Dave Young, chair of the Fox Friends, said: "After months of hard work we’ve reached the crucial point in the campaign to save our beloved pub.

"We can now offer residents and real ale fans alike the rare opportunity to own part of what truly is a community asset. It’s a chance to preserve the character of this much loved pub for the benefit of the community now and for future generations."

UK Co-operative Enterprises have risen by almost 10% over the last two years, from 5,450 to almost 6,000. There are now around 20 co-operatively run pubs in the UK.

The Co-operative Group has spent £1m this year developing the Enterprise Hub, a free service supporting the creation and growth of sustainable community-owned enterprises.

Michael Fairclough, the Co-operative’s head of community and co-operative investment, said: "Co-operation can be key to safeguarding much-loved local assets. Communities working together are a powerful catalyst for change capable of overcoming many of the challenges facing today’s society, environment and economy."

Directors of the Community Benefit Society are available to assist with online applications to buy a share in the Fox and Goose pub in Hebden Bridge on Monday 1 July from 7-9pm and Sunday 14 July from 1-4pm.