THERE may be new hope for the Hope Inn as the Bridgwater pub has now been registered as a community asset, putting a temporary hold on the planned demolition.

Members of Bridgwater Town Council and the Civic Society have successfully lobbied Sedgemoor District Council to recognise the pub in Taunton Road as an asset of community value and register it under Government’s Community Right to Bid legislation.

Westover councillor Brian Smedley, who is leading the bid to save the pub, said: “The intention at this stage was to compel the owner to show their hand and reveal what plans they had for the property.

“If this was to re-open the place like for like, with continued similar community use, then we would have achieved our goal.

“We have done all that we can within the regulations available.”

The owners must now tell the council if they intend to sell the asset and if so, community interest groups will have chance to try to bid for the pub.

However Cllr Smedley is still doubtful that the legislation will help the secure the pub’s future.

He said: “It still means that someone from the community has to come forward with an alternative offer.

“There are cases of village inns not far from here with a local community in a far better financial position to save their pubs, raising the funds, putting a package together and still not being successful.”