Wednesday 11th February 2015

A campaign to save a New Whittington pub has stepped up a gear, with the support of North East Derbyshire's MP.



The Wellington pub has been bought by a property developer - New River Retail - with a view to turning the site into a Co-op convenience store.

The local community, backed by MP Natascha Engel, has formed a campaign group - Save Our Welly - to keep the premise run as a pub. Over 70 local people attended its campaign meeting on Monday night.

It was agreed at the meeting to pursue Asset of Community Value (ACV) status for the pub through the local authority, Chesterfield Borough Council, which would give supporters of the pub the right to bid for the property in the event it is sold again in the future. It is hoped, however, that New River will respond to the community's concerns and allow the Wellington to continue trading as a pub.

1,700 local people have signed petitions sent to the council, backing calls for the Wellington to remain a pub.

The Council will debate the proposal to award the Wellington ACV status at the next full council meeting this evening, Wednesday 11th February but, even if the plan gets the backing of councillors, the vote will not be legally binding at this stage, but it will be a demonstration of the high regard in which the pub is held.

Natascha Engel (left), is calling on local people to "fill the public galleries" at the Town Hall, so that elected councillors and officers can see the "depth of feeling in which the pub is held".

Natascha will also be hosting a group of the Wellington's regulars in Parliament the day after the council meet, when she has committed to raise the situation facing the pub and the community it serves with ministers.

Natascha said: "Keeping this campaign's high profile is key to keeping pints being pulled in the Wellington; that's why we need to get as many people as possible to go to the public meeting at the town hall on the 11th.

"I'll also be raising this case in Westminster on the 12th when I'm hosting a group of the campaigners in Parliament."

Natascha added: "If the community can effectively demonstrate the benefits this pub brings to New Whittington, it will be difficult for any developer to change its use."

All are welcome at the full-council meeting where this issue will be discussed. It will take place at Chesterfield Town Hall, starting at 5pm this evening, Wednesday 11th February.

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