AN AMBITIOUS share offer which Belthorn residents hope will help them buy the village’s only pub will be launched tonight.

The Dog Inn, Belthorn Road, was bought by Great Mitton’s Ribble Valley Luxury Homes Ltd in February.

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But a community group, The Dog Inn Belthorn Ltd, wants to raise £170,000 to buy the venue from the developer and run it as a co-operative.

The pub was valued at £150,000 before it was purchased for an undisclosed sum the day before it went to auction on February 26.

The two parties have held preliminary discussions and Stanley Ainsworth, director of the housing developer, met with residents Friday.

Kathryn Sharpe, secretary of The Dog Inn Belthorn Ltd, said she was expecting a good turn-out at the public meeting, which will be held at Belthorn Primary School, in Belthorn Road at 7pm.

She said: “We have put together a business plan which we believe shows we can manage The Dog Inn under community ownership.

“We are looking to raise around £170,000, mostly from the community share issue. While we expect most people who buy shares to come from Belthorn itself, we welcome support from anyone who concerned at the number of pubs closing locally who’d like to make a difference.”

The pub, owned by Enterprise Inns, closed when landlord, Nick Parker, left in November to take over The Ranken Arms, Hoddlesden.

The Dog Inn Belthorn Ltd registered as a mutual society with the Financial Conduct Authority last month and has enlisted Belthorn residentDave Hollings, of Co-operative and Mutual Solutions’ help.

Labour’s parliamentary candidate, Will Straw, and conservative counterpart, Jake Berry, have pledged support for the group.