The Sun Inn in Hulverstone can now be listed as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ thanks to a campaign spearheaded by Island MP Bob Seely.
Mr Seely said he wanted to secure the building’s future as a rural pub or community asset making it more difficult for the 600-year-old pub to be converted to a private house.
Mr Seely launched a petition in January which gained just shy of 350 signatures before it was sent to the council along with a formal application requesting the pub be listed as an Asset of Community Value. A panel met at the Isle of Wight Council on Monday 25 March and formally agreed the application.
Mr Seely said: “Thank you to the hundreds of people who signed the petition for The Sun Inn at Hulverstone to be listed as an Asset of Community Value.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign, including Brighstone Parish Council who made the formal nomination and Brighstone Village Stores for having the petition on their front counter. Thank you also to the dozens of people who emailed me in support of the campaign.
“The petition and application have now been accepted and agreed.
“This makes it very difficult for anyone to try to get a change of use for the pub. There is still the problem of the current lease, which is too expensive for the pub, but that’s a battle for the future.”
