Bright new future for threatened village pub

A new tenant has been found for a community-owned Peak District pub which locals feared might close.

The Anglers Rest in Bamford has been described as the "beating heart" of the village, but big increases in utility bills meant its trustees had become increasingly concerned about its viability.

Villagers started a campaign to raise £30,000 to keep it open in the short-term so a new tenant could be found.

Self-proclaimed "troubleshooter" Rick Ellison, who has saved four pubs and four hotels which were closed or closing in Buxton and the Peak District, offered to help.

The building is registered as an "asset of community value", and Mr Ellison said he was now leasing the pub from the Bamford Community Society.

The Anglers Rest was taken over by the community in 2013 and has been run with a mix of paid staff and volunteers.

It also hosts a post office and separate cafe.

But it has struggled recently with less money being spent in the pub as a result of an increase in the cost of living.

But Mr Ellison is confident for the pub's future.

"It's got Bamford community behind it," he added. "They've really given it all."

The pub is closed while building work is being carried out, and 40-year-old Rick is optimistic.

"It's an exciting project, but it's been an exciting project for the community for a long time.

"It got to the stage where they were really struggling, so if I can help it and get it back on its feet, then that's great.

"We are kitting it out with a new bar, working with local suppliers and local breweries. We are really excited for the future."

Rosemary Lane, finance director at the Bamford Community Society, said Mr Ellison was very experienced and also "has his heart in the community".

"We are super confident he is going to be taking it forward as a really great pub for locals."

She added: "He has made some wonderful changes so far.

"We are beyond excited because this is a 15-year lease, and we have huge confidence in him.

"He is super, super excited, and the team he is putting in - they get the place, they get the village, get what we are about."

She added: "It is the only pub in the village, so it has to be good and we are really, really excited that we are back on track."

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