Campaigners fight to save community pub The Red Lion

Weaver Valley Cooperative who run the Red Lion say they face eviction unless they endorse a rent rise and sign a fully tied agreement to buy all their drinks from landlord Punch Pubs & Co.

The team claims the new deal could cost around £50,000 and say they can't afford it. They have offered to increase their current rent of £20,000 to £45,000 so long as they can continue to buy drinks from other suppliers but the landlord has refused.

Instead, they have been offered a three year tenancy, but feel this does not provide sufficient security for the future.

Staff fear 30 jobs could be lost and the much-loved community run venue may not reopen after lockdown.

Damon Horrill, a volunteer trustee of Weaver Valley Cooperative, said: "It is a disgrace. We have carried on paying rent, topping up wages for staff and meeting all the utility bills throughout lockdown.

"We have only been open for a couple of months during the pandemic.

"This has come as a shock."

Supporters have launched a petition and attracted more than 600 signatures.

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The Red Lion is a community hub for live music

The Red Lion is a community hub for live music

The pub has run as a community business for 13 years and acts as a hub for many musicians, artists, voluntary groups and charities.

"It is more than just a pub," said Damon. "People don't just come for a drink, they have a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

"We run workshops for people with mental illness and host lots of community group meetings."

Both parties had agreed to a temporary lease and talks are ongoing.

However, negotiations were inflamed when the landlord advertised the pub last year and put a To Let board up in January.

"The signs created a great deal of worry and anxiety for staff and customers that was wholly unnecessary," said Damon, who fears a new tenant may now have been found.

Musicians and artists showcase their work at the Red Lion

Musicians and artists showcase their work at the Red Lion

"It feels like the home of this creative community will be lost. We have always guaranteed that any visitor walking, cycling or boating into Winsford gets the very best welcome and goes away with a positive impression of the town."

Andy Spencer, managing director Punch Pubs & Co, said: “The Red Lion is a fantastic pub and remains an integral part of the Punch portfolio.

"We have been recruiting for a long term tenancy agreement for some time now and have received a number of quality applications from publicans who share our vision for the future of the pub.

"We look forward to sharing more details with the community soon and hope to be ready to reopen the pub when we are safely allowed to do so."

To sign the petition visit chng.it/46hnPLqB