We continue to strive in our endeavours to purchase The Unicorn, to restore and to open again as a successful operation.
We recognise the work/investment made by the George Family over the last two decades, and by their Partners and teams. We have considered the proposals made by Chris George last month, but we do not see that they are viable at this time. We will continue to negotiate around the Red Book valuation, but not the inflated current asking price. The 'discounted price' to the village was set at £625,000, still a long way off the value (£325,000) reached by an independent certified valuation.
Owning a pub premises is not the same as owning any property in a village. It comes with a caveat - and a responsibility - it is a pub and not a house - and as such should be run as a pub for the benefit of the community it serves. (Albeit commercially viable). Many in this village, chose Cublington for its impressive community spirit, of which the pub and the Church are arguably the kingpins.
We are fighting not just for our village but for the wider area - several local villages have already lost their own pubs. Although we have sufficient funds pledged to buy the pub - at a fair and reasonable price - we need to raise additional funds to cover professional fees, stamp duty and so on. It is also part of our business plan to improve the living accommodation to attract the right tenants to make a proper home in our community, for the long term.
We still need people to pledge, please. (contact unicorncublington@gmail.com to pledge, in confidence), but would also welcome volunteers to come forward who have relevant skills to offer as a part of the working party. We absolutely NEED YOUR SUPPORT, wherever you can give it. Follow us on social media. Wear your Save The Unicorn caps, write to your MP, write to the Press, write to The Crier.
"The difficult we do at once, the impossible takes a little longer".
The Save the Unicorn Working Party.
STILL ROARING!!!
