'˜Last orders' called at Rogate pub for the second time

Last orders have been called at the ill fated White Horse pub in Rogate for the second time this year.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Aug 2017, 14:22 BST
Updated 12th Sep 2017, 11:30 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

From front left Emma Yellop, Brian Allison, Kevin Farren, Eric Piper and Heidi Farren who are campaigning to save the pubFrom front left Emma Yellop, Brian Allison, Kevin Farren, Eric Piper and Heidi Farren who are campaigning to save the pub
From front left Emma Yellop, Brian Allison, Kevin Farren, Eric Piper and Heidi Farren who are campaigning to save the pub

Pub owners, Harveys Brewery closed it on Sunday, August 6 after opening it earlier this summer with a temporary landlord.

It is a blow to campaigners who are desperate to take the pub on and keep it open.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The ‘save our pub’ campaign headed by village hall chairman Emma Yellop and former chairman Brian Allison was formed in February this year after it was first closed.

It is the only pub left in the village since the closure of the Wyndham Arms in 2004 which is now a private house.

Amid fears The White Horse faced the same threat the pub campaign gathered momentum with CAMRA lobbying on its behalf.

“To lose the only pub left in Rogate would be horrendous,” said Brian earlier this year, “It would be awful to be without it as it is used after every game of football and cricket and is involved in all events on the recreation ground including the annual fete.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Campaigners have now formed the limited company Rogate Community Society, and are working towards getting funds to buy the pub which has a £415,000 price tag on it.

Joint managing director of Harveys, Hamish Elder said: “Harveys have been trying to sell this pub to a local community interest group. The purchase terms were agreed about three months ago but the community required time to organise itself and raise the capital. Both parties were keen to see the pub kept open in the interim. With this in mind, a succession of temporary operators/stewards have been found but this was not sustainable. The newly formed Rogate Community Society, who were to sign a temporary shorthold agreement, last week, have not done so and instead have notified us to take back the keys which we have done.

“Of course, any pub must be operated by a competent licensee under a formal agreement. Without further responses from the community group, I am unable to comment further at this time.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MidhurstandPetworthObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @mid_pet_obs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Midhurst and Petworth Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.