A community’s fight to save its local pub has come to an emotional end after falling far short of the funds needed to secure its future.
Residents in Pant, Shropshire, had rallied together in a bid to buy the historic Cross Guns pub and turn it into a community-run hub. But despite strong local support, the campaign raised just £75,000 — less than a quarter of the £348,000 required.
Organisers have now confirmed that all funds will be returned to investors, bringing the six-month effort to a close.
In a message shared with supporters, the Cross Guns Community Benefit Society said they always knew the target would be a huge challenge for a small village.
“We always knew £348,000 from a community like Pant was going to be a big ask, and we really want to say a massive thank you to everyone who invested and shared our vision,” they said.
The pub, which dates back around 200 years, closed its doors last October. Its owner, Admiral Taverns, stated at the time that the venue did not have a “long-term sustainable future.”
Locals had hoped to change that.
After the building was registered as a community asset, residents were given a six-month window to raise the money needed to buy it before it could be sold on the open market. That deadline has now passed.
With the moratorium period officially over, the pub can now be sold to any buyer — not just a community group.
Despite the setback, organisers say the effort showed just how much the pub meant to people in the area.
“Although we have had a massive £75,000 contribution from the local community, we are still a long way off our target,” the group said.
At present, there are no confirmed buyers, but further updates are expected at the upcoming parish meeting at Pant Memorial Hall.
For many in the village, the loss goes beyond bricks and mortar. It marks the end of a shared space that had served generations — and another reminder of how difficult it has become to keep traditional pubs alive.
