THE wait is finally over for residents who clubbed together to buy a much-loved community pub.

Nearly eleven months on from Admiral Taverns announcing it was looking to sell the Brewers Arms, the people of West Malvern finally have freehold possession of the 200 year-old pub.

This is after the community raised more than £400,000 from 437 investors, finally buying the Brewers for £295,000.

Now though, the hard work has begun, with a substantial renovation due to get underway in the next few weeks and months before it re-opens fully.

Brian O’Connell, part of the Brewers steering committee, said: "It’s taken a lot of work and a long time to get to this point, but make no mistake the Brewers Arms is now ours - it is for the community alone to determine its future direction and success.

READ MORE: How we reported on the community agreeing to buy the Brewers Arms

"No more will we be left to the whim of chance - the community now enjoys absolute control over this vital amenity. This is a very liberating and welcome place to be.

"I need to thank all those who have shown confidence in this scheme through buying community shares.

"However, we are far from finished - a lot of work still needs to be done.

"We are now seeking volunteers to join working parties to get in there to clear it out; scrub it up, and redecorate the place - it’s long overdue a good dose of TLC.

"Further, if you are a local tradesperson who might be able to contribute, then please do get in touch. We still need more help."

Mr O'Connell said the group hopes to have the pub open again as soon as possible.

READ MORE: The moment the Brewers group hit its target

On top of cleaning and redecorating, there is a substantial backlog of maintenance and electrical work still to be done.

Although the pub still has some way to go before re-opening fully, new tenants are now being actively recruited to run the pub when the big day finally arrives.

In addition to the money raised by the community, the group will also be bidding for grants to secure more money to improve the pub and its facilities.

Mr O'Connell added: "I can assure everyone that there’ll be plenty of opportunities to get involved with reinvigorating the Brewers Arms as this project progresses - and we’ll have a grand opening night to look forward to as well."
For more information, go to www.brewerscommunitypub.co.uk/