OPTIMISM is growing over the future of a popular Malvern pub.

Another public meeting is being held to discuss a bid to save the Brewers Arms in West Malvern.

In November, residents agreed to try and buy the pub in a bid to stop it being sold off for development.

Next week sees the next public meeting over its future, with the next steps in the campaign to be laid out.

The meeting will be held in the theatre at the Elim College site on February 10 at 7.30pm.

There, the plan for buying the freehold will be laid out, as well as updating people on the campaign's future.

Brian O'Connell, part of the Brewers Community Pub Steering Group, said: "This will be an excellent opportunity for people to learn how they can invest in shares to enable this scheme to work.

"Moreover, we will share progress to date as well as the feedback we have received via the community questionnaires.

"However, we don’t just need investment, we need input and ideas.

"What do people want from their community pub? Can you give a helping hand?

"We still need more volunteers to help, especially as things are going to get very busy over the coming months and we can’t do it all ourselves.

"Further, I’d like to remind people that the Brewers Arms is still very much open and trading for beer and food, and it is hoped people will take the opportunity to visit the pub. It deserves your support."

At a packed out meeting in West Malvern Village Hall, around 150 residents agreed to launch a bid to takeover the pub.

This is after the owner, Admiral Taverns, decided to sell it.

The community group had until December to inform Admiral Taverns they wish to proceed with a bid.

Now they have until April to draw up a business plan and shareholder prospectus, with both documents forming a key part of the community ownership model.

The guide price for the West Malvern Road site was said to be around £325,000.

The community group plans to have the site independently valued, with a large amount of refurbishment work likely should they have to buy it including the kitchen, toilets and upstairs rooms

For those who can’t attend the meeting, it will be steamed via Zoom.

The details on how to join the Zoom meeting service will be posted on the group’s website at: www.brewerscommunitypub.co.uk