Community up in Arms to get ownership of Leeds pub
More than 200 locals have joined the campaign to make the Cardigan Arms on Kirkstall Road a community-owned pub.
This Friday at 7pm the Cardigan Arms is inviting more people to join the push, and are aiming to raise £300,000 by the end of May. It will be match funded by Mood pubs.
The combined £600,00 will be used to buy and renovate the pub.
Campaigners are asking potential co-op members for a £100 investment a more, which will give them voting rights, means they will be commemorated within the pub, and, most importantly, get 10% off at the bar.
Popular in the 80s and 90s, the pub has fallen on hard times in recent years.
Campaigner Chris Hill, said: “£300,000 sounds like a lot of money, and it is! However we’re hoping a lot of the money will come from the people we’re calling our Cardigan Angels – those putting in at least £5,000. They’ll get a return of 4% which makes it a decent investment opportunity, and I know of at least twelve people already who are looking to do this.”
Cardigan Arms regular of 34 years, Jean, said: “To see the pub returned to its former glory would be brilliant. I’d be much happier to see this stay as a pub for the community rather than being turned into flats.”
