VILLAGERS are rallying together with the hope of acquiring and reopening a village pub near Dursley. 

A steering group has been launched to try and run the Rose and Crown in Nympsfield as a community pub. 

The 19th century boozer was previously placed on the market by estate agents Colliers for offers of around £450,000 in June last year.

It has been closed to members of the public since early February 2023. 

It comes as the pub was officially granted an asset of community value in June last year following a nomination from Nympsfield Parish Council. 

The group has now opened a survey to gather feedback. 

It is hoped that its results will provide campaigners with feedback, and it has been described as the "first step in trying to save the Rose & Crown”. 

An organiser said: “The pub has been closed for 12 months and is up for sale, so a group of us are evaluating the viability of the Rose & Crown as a community pub. 

“Community pubs are owned by members (sometimes known as shareholders) and are run democratically on the basis of one-member-one-vote. 

“With so many pubs closing (750 set to close in the first half of 2024) the community owned pub model is becoming more popular, especially in rural communities like ours. 

“We have launched a survey to discover the level of support in the community for the Rose & Crown as a community pub, which is the first step of the process.”

The survey is due to close at 8pm on Sunday, March 17.

Results will be published at a future public meeting. 

You can view the questionnaire here - tinyurl.com/2vmcy4c2

In their ACV application the parish council previously said: “It is the only remaining public house in the parish and until it was suddenly closed was used daily by village residents. 

"The Rose and Crown provides a social hub, meeting place, venue for social events and a sense of identity for the parish. 

“A village without a public house has lost its soul. 

“It is an integral part of the character of the parish and a focal point for the residents.”