The Bell Whitchurch – some thoughts

What is happening at The Bell? 
Let's recognise it's importance to Whitchurch

The historic timber-framed Bell Inn in Whitchurch is one of few small traditional style local public houses that remain in the area, a place where people meet, converse, make friends, and socialise.

 
When open this 15th-century Listed Building was a fabulous, friendly, sociable place to meet under the wonderful long-standing publicans Jan McGarvey and her late husband Paul.
Yet sadly, it has now been closed over a year.

Whitchurch is a small Hampshire town that was once known for its public houses, a core feature in the deep community spirit that existed. 

That spirit has been stretched with the loss of other social venues, the Harvest Home, the Red House, the Old Brewery, the Railway, the Yeoman, all within relatively recent memories.

There is a famous quote:

Over one hundred years ago the Star newspaper reported:

“Whitchurch is in Hampshire. People who live in it call it a town. People who live out of it call it a village. It is about as big as a good-sized pocket handkerchief. It has three shops and 19 public houses.”

Although the town has since grown considerably and is in line for much greater expansion, Whitchurch has already lost the vast majority of those pubs and today only three remain open.

Although some refurbishment has been taking place at the Bell, let us hope it can also be officially recognised for the value it deserves and the wonderful legacy that Jan and Paul left the community.

A call is going out to have it registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
The Kings Arms has already been given this status after work by local residents along with members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). 

The Bell should follow, particularly as ACVs are recognised within the local Neighbourhood Plan.

What is an Asset of Community Value (ACV):

• it is a material planning consideration, which gives the Council additional reasons to reject any proposal involving loss of the pub;
• it gives the community the opportunity to bid for the property if it is sold or leased for 25 years or more;
• 
  it gives Councils powers of compulsory purchase if the community use of the asset is in danger of being lost.

Meanwhile CAMRA is also currently discussing planning matters with government ministers over proposals that ALL pubs that have a recognised 'heritage value' should automatically have ACV registration. There are encouraging signs this may happen.
However, until then individual applications need to be submitted.

The Bell Inn should be given this recognition.

Our Councils are being asked to support this aim given its importance to the people of Whitchurch and area, and to have the Bell Inn duly registered.

The Bell Inn, a centre of the social scene.