Bid to protect Yorkshire pub as community asset rejected

Thorganby Parish Council applied to have The Jefferson Arms designated an asset of community value, which would give local people an opportunity to bid for the property if it was put up for sale.

However, North Yorkshire Council has rejected the application after officers concluded that the pub did not meet the criteria for the designation.

The pub stands in Main Street, Thorganby, a village south of York which has around 400 residents.

It has been closed since 2022.

The parish council submitted a survey of 72 people as part of its application, with 60 of the 67 respondents who answered a question about its importance rating the pub as at least quite important to village social life and wellbeing.

A further 49 respondents said the pub had allowed them to meet people they would not otherwise see regularly.

The survey also found that 55 respondents believed reopening within five years was realistic or possible under the right circumstances, while 46 said they would visit a reopened venue at least two or three times a month.

Supporters described The Jefferson Arms as "the heart of the village" and highlighted its history as a meeting place for local groups, family celebrations, charity events, quizzes and music nights.

The nomination argued that while the village hall occasionally hosted a pop-up pub, it could not replace the role of a permanent village local.

It stated: "A permanent village pub offers spontaneous and regular access, a recognisable social environment, food and drink, potential outdoor use, events and a continuing informal meeting place."

Supporters also warned that the closure had resulted in "fewer opportunities for informal social contact", a "loss of somewhere to meet friends and neighbours" and "reduced inter-generational contact".

However, council officers concluded that insufficient evidence had been provided to demonstrate significant community use in the period immediately before its closure.

The assessment acknowledged that the pub had historically been valued by residents and used for social events and organised meetings.

But it stated: "Whilst the nomination provides historical references and survey evidence, limited contemporaneous supporting evidence, such as photographs or records of activities, was submitted to demonstrate the extent and frequency of community use."

Officers concluded: "Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the recent past element of the criteria is not met."

They also questioned whether reopening was a realistic prospect within the next five years, despite the level of support expressed in the survey.

The report stated: "The evidence demonstrates a continued level of community demand and support for the reopening of the Jefferson Arms."

However, it added: "There is very little objective evidence that future community use is realistically achievable rather than merely desirable."

Officers noted that several previous operators had experienced trading difficulties and that no confirmed operator, purchaser or secured funding had been identified.

The owner opposed the nomination, arguing that the premises had been closed for more than four years and that previous attempts to operate it as a pub had failed.

However, the owner also indicated a willingness to lease the property, stating: "If anyone wishes to pick up the gauntlet and rent it the property is available."

The council's communities team acknowledged that reopening the pub could strengthen village life, describing Thorganby as a "pro-active community".

The Jefferson Arms was previously the subject of an unsuccessful community asset nomination in 2024.

A planning application to convert part of the premises into offices was also refused that year.

The council concluded that although there was considerable local support for reopening The Jefferson Arms, the evidence did not establish that it met the statutory tests for community value.