A community group has achieved their dream of saving their village pub as a facility which can be used by residents and visitors.

Lowther Arms Community Project Ltd (LACP) has announced that it has been successful in its aim to buy the Lowther Arms, thanks to donors, shareholders and organisations that lent support.

Chairman Chris Atkinson said: “This has all been possible thanks to the sterling efforts of the project committee and all our loyal and wonderful supporters.

“We have to thank every one of our donors and 281 shareholders, and organisations like Power To Change, Co-ops UK, the Plunkett Foundation, Key Fund, and Cumbria Community Foundation who believed in us. A special thank you must go to the fantastic and growing network of community pubs who have been so encouraging and helpful to us on our journey.”

The Lowther Arms hopes to re-open fully in time for summer. As the pub committee moves into the next phase of the project for re-opening, it first needs to re-assess what needs to be done to achieve this.

“Of course, we didn’t expect Covid to happen along the way” says Chris, “and it’s changed our plans about what we can sell and when we can open. We’re very fortunate to have a large beer garden at the rear of the pub, which is perfect for outdoor seating, and are looking at options at creating a covered area.”

Proposals for the pub include restoration of the pub caravan site so that tourers and campers can stop over; improving the car park to accommodate a motorhome or two; using the upstairs en-suite accommodation for self-contained letting; and opening a volunteer-run café counter and essentials shop – which will benefit both locals and visitors alike.

They will be seeking volunteers to help with the pub's makeover and will be recruiting for a chef and tenant. A Zoom meeting will take place on April 11 at 7pm, to welcome shareholders and to give more information on volunteering.

Chris said: “We will definitely need some help to achieve the makeover and will be looking to recruit extra volunteers shortly. More importantly, the pub is looking for an energetic and inspirational chef and tenant to drive the business forward, so if you think that’s you and you’d like more information, do email us at lacp2019@outlook.com"

He added: “In the future it would be nice to think we could develop the site to include a couple of glamping pods, so we’ll be looking to raise funds for this. Of course, we’d be delighted to hear of any support or grants available to us, too."

People still have a chance to buy shares, donate or sponsor and own part of a pub, go to www.thelowtherarms.co.uk. For sponsorship call Vivienne Coleman on 01900 881441.