People hoping to help bring the Railway Inn at Norton Bridge back into community ownership can now officially become shareholders, after the campaign launched its community share offer.
The latest milestone means supporters who previously pledged money can now convert those pledges into community shares, while new investors can also join the project by applying online or requesting a paper application pack.
The campaign, which aims to buy and reopen the village pub as a community owned business, has already secured more than £100,000 in pledges from local supporters.
How to apply
Application packs are being sent to everyone who previously made a pledge, although anyone can request a pack if they would like to invest. https://railwayinn.org/share-application-form/
Supporters have two ways to apply:
- Complete a paper application and return it with payment.
- Apply online through the Railway Inn Community Pub website.
The website also includes the full share offer document, business plan and society rules, giving prospective investors detailed information about the project before deciding whether to invest.
Anyone with questions can contact the steering committee through the project’s website or Facebook page.
More than a fundraiser
The Railway Inn campaign is being led by a Community Benefit Society, a legal structure designed to allow local people to collectively own and run community assets.
The committee says buying shares is a way for people to become members of the society and play a part in securing the future of the pub. The share offer documents also make clear that community shares are a long term investment and that anyone considering investing should read the full information before applying.
For those who would still like to support the campaign without buying shares, donations can continue to be made through the project’s fundraising page.
With the share offer now live, the campaign enters another significant phase in its bid to reopen one of the area’s best known village pubs under community ownership.
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