THERE are celebrations in order in West Malvern as the group trying to save a much-loved commmunity pub has hit its target at the 11th hour.

The group trying to buy the Brewer's Arms announced this week they had successfully raised the £375,000 needed to buy it from Admiral Taverns.

The money comes in the nick of time, with a deadline of July 8 having been set to secure funding to buy the Brewer's.

This represents success for the group in their efforts to save the pub, which was headed for closure late last year.

Despite hitting the main target, Brian O'Connell, from the group, reminded residents this was only the money needed to buy the pub, with more still needed to carry out a substantial renovation of the building.

He wrote: "Our total is now at £375,750.

"We have 379 shareholders of which 97 are new.

"There are still 54 pledgers who have yet to commit but if they do and pay their minimum we will easily reach our ultimate goal of £425,000.

"That (the £375,000) will give us sufficient to purchase the pub and pay the VAT and other costs of purchase but no funds to start repair works etc.

"We will get the VAT (of about £30,000) back but that will take time.

"Our secondary target, as set out in the share prospectus, is £425,000.

"That will give us sufficient to start on the necessary works."

The community group's bid to buy the pub began in late-2021 after Admiral announced its intentions to sell.

At a meeting in November, members of the West Malvern community agreed to start their process and put the pub under community ownership.

It is hoped that by following a community ownership model, future licencees will have more freedom to choose what they sell and set their own prices free from pressure from a brewery.

For more information about the community bid, go to www.brewerscommunitypub.co.uk/