Many thanks to everyone who attended last night’s meeting.  It was a tremendous turnout and I value everyone’s opinions.

As well as many useful interactions during the meeting, I have already received carefully considered views and advice from both people who attended and from those who were unable to be there in person.  Please keep these coming.

MeetGeek, my AI note taker did work and I will publish the minutes when I have had time to review them properly.

As a levelling up exercise, I felt the meeting was a success, and we should all now be aware of what a huge task it will be to resurrect the Manor Arms to a profitable venture.

More importantly, we have an idea of what it might look like at either end of the scale of modern pubs and that as a community, we will have to settle for some kind of development to allow the level of restoration required to return the kitchen to a functioning level and the pub to operate with up to 9 bedrooms.

There is also a possibility of a friendly investor arriving to save the day.  Only time will tell but I will ensure that this avenue is explored to its fullest.

There were questions asked last night that I will respond to in time but I’m still in the midst of our apple harvest and hope your minds can remain active and patient over the next few days.

Jonathan

Chairman NPPC

There will be a Village Meeting at 7pm on Wednesday 24th September in the Village Hall.

In England and Wales, an estimated 412 pubs closed in 2024, which averages to over 34 pubs a month, while the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimated 378 closures in the UK in 2025.

North Perrott should consider itself very lucky in the circumstances, that Graham and Liz Neville have supported the Manor Arms during an incredibly difficult period of time and that we do still have a village pub at all.

Graham has now come to the conclusion that he and Liz can no longer support the business and will regretably close the pub in the very near future.

With Graham’s approval, Pip and I think that the best course of action is to call a VILLAGE MEETING at 7pm on Wednesday 24th September to discuss any ideas for the possible short, medium and long term plans for the Manor Arms.

At this point, Graham has no intention of putting the pub on the open market and so there is a period of time where we can consider either a community project an individual project or to introduce a buyer that can negotiate with Graham and Liz in private.

The meeting is intended to be brief and with only one agenda item. The aim is to brainstorm all possible avenues, any of which can be presented to Graham and Liz at a later date.

I urge everyone to attend the meeting and listen to the ideas raised and speak up if you wish your views to be known.

JONATHAN HOSKYNS

Chairman North Perrott Parish Council