A GROUP of villagers are leading a campaign to bring their local pub back to life as a "community hub",

Locals in Woodcroft are keen to buy back the Rising Sun which was closed by the brewery which owned it in 2011.

The empty pub was bought a year ago by a development company but campaigners say it could be brought back into use as a viable community enterprise.

Committee chair Michelle Hayes said: "When the pub was sold the community did not put in a bid because we were told it was being sold as a pub which everyone was delighted about.

"A committee was formed after we found out the owners wanted to develop the site and we held a public which was attended by 100 people."

The campaigners have raised more than £200,000 and an offer was made in excess of the sale price but it was rejected.

Ms Hayes said: "The pub could become a focus for the community again. It could be a community hub."

The plan would be to run the pub on an industrial and provident model, a type of co-operative. There are already 24 pubs across the country being run successfully by communities.

Committee member Neil Bedford said: "There is a lot of potential here. The Rising Sun was run successfully for many years and we think it could be again.

"Without the pub Woodcroft is just a through road. Without it there is nowhere for the community to meet.

Campaigners claim the pub was hamstrung by having to buy its beer from the brewery which owned it and its profitability was hit by a high monthly rent.

Ms Hayes said: "It would be a freehouse which would mean it could get its beer from any supplier and as a community venture it would not have a high rent."

The question of economic viability could be crucial if planning permission is sought to change the pub.

The Forest of Dean Council's Core Strategy says redevelopment of community facilities such as pubs should only be allowed if it can be shown that they are not commercially viable.

The campaign group is also asking the council to place the pub on the register of community assets.

Having the pub on the register means that should it come up for sale in future the community would be given time to submit a bid.

The Review was unable to contact anyone at the development company for comment.