Kimpton Residents poised to win back The White Horse

Major step forward for residents fighting to save their local

Residents in Kimpton have taken a major step forward in their fight to save their local pub, having successfully fought an appeal by a property company to overturn a recent decision by the District Council to make the White Horse an Asset of Community Value. A formal offer has now been made on behalf of the community to buy the property.

The new owners who bought the pub from McMullens in the summer, had hoped to turn the pub into a residential dwelling. However, the residents have fought to keep their landmark pub, and planning permission for change of use has been denied. Several meetings have since taken place, and a survey distributed and collated, which has confirmed the wishes of the residents to retain the White Horse as a Public House, serving good quality food to the community and to visitors.

Kimpton resident Brian King said:

"The survey confirmed that the residents want somewhere in addition to the Boot, where they can get good quality, locally sourced food, and craft ales, and which would attract visitors from further afield.” 

The White Horse, previously owned by McMullens for 188 years, had always been of a very different character to The Boot at the other end of the High Street. Expert advice has been sought, a business plan is being prepared, and an offer has now been submitted.

Neil Burns, spokesman for the White Horse steering committee said, “We will soon be in a position to put a detailed business plan on the table and are keen to hear from people in the wider community interested in investing.”

(Picture: residents outside The White Horse, Kimpton)

For further information, contact Neil Burns:

07984 965553  

campaign@saveourwhitehorse.co.uk