Fresh attempt to revive Devon pub caught in 'a downward spiral'

A fresh attempt is being made to revive a Devon pub that locals have said is in "a downward spiral towards dereliction". They have been campaigning for more than three years to save the village's only boozer.

The George Inn in Chardstock, owned by Wellington Pub Company, closed when coronavirus lockdown measures came into force in 2020 but never reopened. In 2021, locals banded together to form the George Inn Continuity Group (GICG) in the hopes of bringing it back to life.

Shortly after the group was formed, they successfully registered the pub as an asset of community value (ACV). This means that the local community must be notified if the pub is listed for sale and offered the chance to buy it.

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The pub has previously been listed to let by estate agents Bettesworths, with a guide rent of £35,000 per year and a 20 year term. After attempts to secure new tenants failed, GIGC launched a petition, calling on East Devon District Council to survey the property and issue a notice to the owners to carry out repair works.

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By the time the group presented its petition at an East Devon District Council meeting in December 2023, it had amassed 1,048 signatures - more than the village's entire population.

Speaking on behalf on GICG, Peter Manley told councillors that the pub was becoming increasingly dilapidated, with multiple leaks, sagging structures and weeds growing from the walls. He also said that the loss of the pub meant the village had lost a valuable meeting place.

At the time, the group told DevonLive that they were planning to work with the authority to have The George Inn officially declared 'at risk' by Historic England.

Last week, Bettesworths started listing the Grade II listed pub again but this time it's for sale, with an asking price of £350,000 plus VAT for the freehold. The estate agents say in their brochure that only unconditional offers will be considered and that the seller will apply a restrictive covenant to the site, which will mean it can only be used as a pub or for another commercial use.