Tadcaster village pub’s community protection bid rejected as new landlord promises 'bright future'

A bid to protect a Tadcaster village’s only pub has been rejected - but the venue’s new landlord says it has a bright future anyway.

Wighill Parish Council had applied for The White Swan to be registered as an asset of community value (ACV), which would give villagers an opportunity to bid for the property if it was put up for sale.

However, a council assessment concluded that while the pub near Tadcaster had hosted numerous community events, there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that these activities represented a significant community use beyond its normal operation as a hospitality business.

The report said: “No testimonials, representations or letters of support were submitted from local residents.”

It added that no evidence had been provided by local community groups demonstrating an ongoing reliance on the premises.

In its nomination, the parish council described the pub as a vital social hub, pointing out that the village has no community centre, village hall or school.

It said: “The White Swan Public House is the only community facility in Wighill where residents can meet to socialise, hold events and host visitors.”

The application listed 27 activities and events associated with the pub, including Christmas celebrations, bonfire nights, beer festivals, quiz nights, book clubs, film clubs, knitting groups, parish council meetings and elections.

It also highlighted the pub’s role in supporting residents during the pandemic by providing takeaway meals and deliveries of freshly baked bread.

However, council officers said that while some of the activities demonstrated community involvement, around half were commonly associated with running a traditional rural pub.

The assessment acknowledged that social media posts provided evidence of events taking place but said they did not establish how regularly they occurred or how many people attended.

The report stated: “Whilst there is evidence that community-related activities took place at the premises, the evidence provided is insufficient to demonstrate that these activities represented a significant non-ancillary use of the asset rather than activities associated with the normal operation of a village public house and hospitality business.”

It also noted that the business had operated primarily as a food-led pub, restaurant and accommodation provider, attracting customers from beyond the village.

Officers said there was limited evidence of how much the premises was used by local residents compared with visitors.

The report added that no community interest group or similar organisation had been established with an expressed interest in acquiring or operating the pub.

However, the council acknowledged that the premises had previously been used as a polling station and hosted activities capable of benefiting the community.

During a visit in September, council officers found a sign advertising the pub to let, including its six en-suite letting rooms.

An online property listing described it as under offer.

The council said there was no planning application seeking to change the use of the building, which would generally require planning permission.

The pub closed at the end of June following the retirement of its former landlords, with the parish council submitting its application in September.

However, it reopened following a refurbishment earlier this month after landlord Tom Brown, who already runs several pubs in the York area, took on the lease.

Mr Brown said: “We’ve taken on a long lease to secure the future of the pub and keep it as a busy, thriving business.

“We’ve got a good chef in the kitchen, letting bedrooms and some big plans for the place.

“We already run several pubs in York, but this is going to be our big site.

“The pub is here to stay and it’s definitely not being turned into housing.”