A popular Essex pub and part-time social hub which was saved by the local community has opened a brand new library service.
Just short of 30 people attended the grand opening at The Great Bromley Cross Community Pub on Wednesday, April 18 – including Susan Barker, cabinet member for culture, communities and customer at Essex County Council.
Run entirely by volunteers, the hub has accumulated a number of different functions over the years, including a coffee shop, post office and occasional pop-up boutique.
Ms Barker said: “It is a brilliant place. I am really impressed with the people who have got it up and running. It is a really good enterprise for the community.
“People do value it. There is a lot of work going on at the county council about isolation – and this is an exercise to get out and meet people. Essex is happy to be a part of that.
“I think it is very good for people’s social wellbeing.”
She added that the pub had a real communal charm, as all its furniture had been donated by local people.
A group of pub regulars and residents stepped in to save Great Bromley’s The Cross Inn after developers announced plans to convert it into housing in early 2016.
For months they fought against the proposals – but finally the group, called Save the Bromley Cross, announced plans to sell shares so they could re-open it as a community asset.
This allowed over 150 people to buy The Cross Inn under the ownership of The Great Bromley Cross Pub Community Benefit Society Ltd.
The pub hosts a range of community events every month, ranging from candlelit carols at Christmas to Halloween craft sessions and pop-up boutiques.
Jim Craddock, one of the volunteers and shareholders, said he was delighted with the new service. He added that the pub is now hiring a new manager.
Mr Craddock said: “The Great Bromley Cross re-opened under community ownership in December 2016, after local residents bought the closed pub from a property developer. The pub has been run by volunteers since then, but is now recruiting a pub manager.”
Details on how to apply are available on the website: www.greatbromleycross.org.uk/how-you-can-help.
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