Thursday 9th April 2016

Local campaigners are celebrating today after winning their battle to keep a local pub open amid plans to turn it into a convenience store.



Friends of The Wellington (above) have received a letter from New River Retail stating that the development company has withdrawn plans to convert the premises to a Co-operative store (original story HERE).

Whittington villagers had been furious at the proposed change, and had successfully fought to gain Asset of Community Value status after a packed debate in Chesterfield Town Hall chambers.

This meant that the pub was placed on a register of community assets, and that if put up for sale, would be offered to community groups before being offered to the open market.

During the meeting, Chesterfield Borough councillors also voted to grant the premises an Article 4 Direction, meaning that councillors would get a say if change of use was proposed.

A long wait followed to see if plans would be submitted to the Council for a change of use. However, the letter received by 'Save Our Welly' means that the pub, and several jobs are now secure. Signed by David Lockhart, CEO of new River Retail, it states that "As a result of reviewing the pub in the round, we have now decided that we will maintain the property as a public house."

Campaigners are delighted that the village will now keep what they say is a valuable community resource. Vicky Mudds, who had led the campaign told The Chesterfield Post, "I am absolutely thrilled and so are all the villagers! It's a brilliant thing to have happened for the village!

"It means everything - it's their local, their place to come and see their friends - and they can still do it! We're thrilled to bits and wish to thank everyone who helped. Without the people there wouldn't have been this result."

OTHER STORIES

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COUNCIL DEBATE OVER SUPPORT FOR THE 'WELLY' PACKS PUBLIC GALLERIES -
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE WELLY SAYS N E DERBYSHIRE MP NATASCHA ENGEL -
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MP DISMAYED OVER GOVERNMENT'S 'FAILURE TO PROTECT PUBS' -
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PUBLIC MEETING SEES VILLAGERS VOW TO SAVE POPULAR LOCAL PUB -
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CAMPAIGN TO SAVE POPULAR LOCAL BEGINS IN NEW WHITTINGTON -
A campaign has been mounted in a Chesterfield village by residents who hope to save one of their popular locals from being closed - and being re-opened as a convenience store. More...

GET YOUR GLAD RAGS ON AND PLATFORM SHOES OUT... -
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THE PUB PEOPLE COMPANY JOINS SUPPORT FOR FOOD BANK CHARITY -
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GRADE II LISTED CHESTERFIELD PUB UNDERGOS MAJOR REFURBISHMENT -
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COMMUNITY PUB RE-OPENS -
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NEW INN, NEW TUPTON, NEEDS NEW TENANTS! -
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NEW WHITTINGTON PUB DEDICATES AWARD TO STAFF & CUSTOMERS -
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CALLING TIME ON A RETAIL CAREER -
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THE MAYOR 'CHEERS' ON LOCAL BUSINESS -
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THE WELLINGTON PUB CHRISTMAS FAYRE 2011 -
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