The campaign has reached a pivotal point and it is possible that soon there may be an opportunity to buy the pub for the Community.  A small group of us, the acting Management Committee, have got the campaign to this position, but if the community is going to achieve the purchase we will need more support.

The harsh truth is that without practical community involvement the campaign is dead in the water. To be owned and run by the Community needs the Community to be actively involved in making this happen. Wringing our hands and saying that something needs to be done is not going to get our pub back. We need people to be actively involved now. Only then can we be sure that we did not sit back while we allowed the White Lion to become just another ex-pub of Aldershot that we all hold great memories of.

You (and any likeminded individuals) are cordially invited to a short Public Meeting which will be held at 6:30pm on Tuesday 26^th July at the Aldershot Methodist Hall, Herrett Street, Aldershot, GU12 4ED (only a few yards away from The White Lion). https://www.aldershotmethodist.org.uk/

We will briefly describe the progress that has been made over the last 2 ½ years and the current situation that leads us to believe that there is a credible opportunity for the community to purchase and run the White Lion.

The main points are:-

• The legal framework of the campaign (Aldershot Community Pub Limited) is all set up and ready to operate. All that is needed is VAT registration.
• Now that the social restrictions imposed by the pandemic have been removed for all but the most vulnerable, the opportunity exists for the White Lion to reopen and operate at its full potential.
• The property developer owner has had two planning applications refused by Rushmoor Borough Council. Although the owner has lodged an appeal against the planning refusal, we are confident that the refusal will be upheld. The owner is then likely to try to cut their losses and sell. We have been using the services of an experienced Chartered Surveyor who we can employ to negotiate a sensible market price.
• The Government’s Community Ownership Fund provides an opportunity for “match funding” of funds raised by a share issue. This provides a viable means of raising the money needed for purchasing, renovating, setting-to-work and running the White Lion.