A GROUP of more than 100 Lower Withington residents have come together in an attempt to register a closed village pub as an asset of community value.

The Friends of the Black Swan group were rebuffed by Cheshire East Council in their previous application, but are preparing to lodge a second in a bid to protect the pub from possible future demolition.

Closed since last May, the pub has left the community lacking space for groups, organisations and individuals to meet – a key criteria in the council’s decision-making process.

Friends member Tim Pearson said: “They were happy with the community aspects but they need more evidence of community group use.

“We are getting testimonies and sworn statements of historic use and intended reuse. We are going to build our case and put it forward in June.

“It’s a bit of everything. You have got the individual use of it and the way in which locals get together for not only a drink but to help each other out and talk about local issues.

“There is a local business link – self-employed people and ex-professionals need a place to get together and meet with clients. They have lost that, and are having to drive six miles to Holmes Chapel to find a location.

“An example of a local body is Terra Nova [prep school], organising an annual Christmas event for children at the pub.

“The location is gone, and we should be protecting the English country pub. Anyone can buy a pub and knock it down, but in a few years we won’t have any left.”

Follow the group’s progress by searching for ‘Friends of the Black Swan, Lower Withington’ on Facebook.