AN OPEN meeting to discuss forming a community group to save the historic Manor House pub, in Otley, is being held next week.

The Manor House, in Cross Green, is currently subject to a six month moratorium after it was put up for sale by its former owners.

But as the moratorium means that the local community has until November to come up with a plan to raise funds to buy the pub if a commercial buyer is not found, the Otley Pub Club wants to form an independent group to work to raise these funds.

Rob Skinner, chair of Otley Pub Club said: “The Manor House is an iconic Otley pub, a key part of the Otley pub scene and one that was both successful and popular until the Covid pandemic. Under the right ownership, it can be successful and popular again.

“It makes sense to explore the possibility of a community buy-out, as happened with the Black Horse, with that then becoming a very successful Kirkstall Brewery pub.

“We hope people will attend the meeting on August 13. What matters is that the famous Manor House remains as a pub with its unique offer, history and heritage.”

Otley Pub Club advises that national charity, The Plunkett Foundation, which offers advice and support to groups seeking to buy and establish community pubs have already given advice on how to progress and would provide expertise to support a community campaign.

Lisa Herries, one of the people who is interested in organising a bid, said: “The Manor House is a cherished Otley pub and we believe that there is a real opportunity for a community bid to create Otley’s first community owned pub.

“Towns such as Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge have shown that community owned pubs work really well in towns and fit in really well alongside other pubs, offering something both different and also unique with the community actually owning the pub.”

The Manor, which dates back to the 19th Century, is named after the grade II listed home of Thomas Constable, the Otley solicitor who, with his sister Mary, helped some of those fleeing the Great Famine in Ireland (1845 to 1852) to re-settle in Otley. It is an attractive mid-terrace with a real community feel and a reputation for folk music, with sessions and open mic evenings. People take a 3D tour of the pub, thanks to the work of Apollo3D.

Those who are interested in supporting the community campaign are asked to email otleycommunitypub@gmail.com