A WORKING party is being set up in a bid to save Greatham’s only pub amid fears it could be demolished and houses built in its place.

More than 80 people attended a meeting in the village hall to look at saving The Greatham Inn on Petersfield Road, which is on the market for £600,000.

Resident Neil Whitely says the pub, its beer garden and car park, should be labelled a ‘village asset.’

This would see the campaigners given a voice if plans were put forward to replace it with houses.

Mr Whitely said: “We want to see it run as a village asset. Everyone was very positive – we want to keep that enthusiasm going.

“We need to set up a working group, put together a business plan and then look at the options – whether to run it ourselves, or work with a small pubco or independent landlord.

“It should also offer things like a cafe and a parcel drop-off service. Once people come up with ideas, you end up with a good mix of things to offer the community.”

So far the working party includes Liss Parish Council vice chairman Cllr Keith Budden, who helped save The Temple Inn in Liss Forest in 2017, and Greatham parish councillor Adam Cheesman.

The pub is owned by national pub chain, the Ei Group, who put the lease and the building up for sale about a fortnight before landlady and landlord Marilyn and Alan Boxall left on January 25.

Mr Boxall commented: “We lost a considerable amount of money. Financially it wasn’t viable.”

At their leaving do, they and customers said there were worries the pub could be sold to a developer and the site redeveloped.

However, for now it is being run by an Ei Group-appointed temporary manager.