An application to turn a closed-down pub into a community-run business has been denied by the local council.

Villagers applied for a valued community asset order for The Crown pub in Marcham after it closed in the summer of 2022 and put up for sale for £425,000.

However, the planning authority, the Vale of White Horse District Council rejected the application submitted by the steering committee group.

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In a local newsletter, Neil Rowe, a member of the steering committee group, said: "The application was denied primarily because we failed to evidence sufficient community activity and engagement with the pub during the five years leading up to the application being submitted."

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The group is currently considering whether to appeal the decision and is in discussion with pub group Admiral Tavern as well as the developer involved.

Mr Rowe said: "We will keep you informed as and when options become clearer.

"If anyone can remember activity and events that took place at The Crown premises in the last five years and come provide evidence such as a signed statement and or photograph place contact me."

If the application was successful, it meant the community would be given time to come up with a bid if the pub was sold.

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In March, Mark Harvie, a steering group member and parish councillor, said: “The loss of the last remaining pub in the village would be a significant loss. We want to see it reopen. It’s been there for a very long time and has had a grade II listing since 1987.

“We recognise that it does need some development inside. We need to open it up. But the core foundations of the building are in good shape.”

Mr Harvie suggested the building could be used as a meeting space for community groups, for knitting and nattering sessions, and as a milkshake bar run by the ‘Thirsty’ community café.

He said: “Rather than just serving food and drink, it will be combined with community activities.

“This is not going to be a gastropub. This is going to be a pub designed, built, and run for the community. Although, we probably have more experience on one side of the bar than the other.

“Inevitably it has got to be a place where people want to visit and that has something the pub has struggled with since around 2000. We want to turn that around.

“We are convinced that the pub can work as a community venture to make it a success in Marcham.”