Punters given government cash to help them save their local pubs

LOCALS are being handed government cash to help take over pubs in danger of closing.

Punters can bid for a share of a £150million rescue pot, in a scheme overseen by minister Michael Gove.

They must be able to show losing the boozer would hit the community hard — and have a plan to turn it around.

Every pound the Government puts in will have to be matched by locals.

Six pubs have already been handed around £1.5million in all from the Community Ownership Fund — taking to 17 the total aided since the beginning of the year.

Levelling Up Secretary Mr Gove said: “The pub is woven into the fabric of Christmas tradition.

“Sadly, too many are disappearing from our high streets, villages and town centres. But help is at hand.”

Venues to have benefitted so far include the 16th-century Hop Pole, in Limpley Stoke, Wilts, which is getting £300,000 to reopen.

Simon Coombe, of Save the Hop Pole campaign group, said: “It will provide a meeting point for parents. cultural groups and our vulnerable elderly population.”

The Black Horse in Melton Mowbray, Leics, qualifies for £245,000 while the Lochranza Hotel on the Isle of Arran will get £300,000.

There is no definitive list of what assets can be considered, and a snooker hall in Birmingham will be restored and a 180-year-old Welsh village shop rescued.

The latest round will see more than 30 pubs, clubs and theatres get £6.67million — taking the total handed out so far to £16.74million.

Mr Gove is determined to balance a spread of projects in rural and urban locations.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said: “We’re putting beloved pubs, clubs and heritage sites into the hands of local people to ensure vital services are guaranteed for generations.”