A CAMPAIGN by villagers to buy back a cherished a village pub has suffered a blow after an offer was made by an outside buyer.

The former Cross Keys pub could now become an estate agents or employment agency after the offer was accepted with planning permission to run financial services there.

An application to turn the former pub into a bistro has also been lodged with Wiltshire Council, as owner Ian McIvor sets his sights on selling to the highest bidder.

Residents keen to resurrect their former village pub in the High Street set up a company and even tried to buy the building, which has been for sale since November 2016.

They say their offer was not acknowledged by Mr McIvor, who split the building, which is currently run as an art gallery, into a commercial and residential parts and put both on the market.

Campaigners also recently discovered that a restrictive covenant has been placed on the building, blocking it from running as a pub or wine bar. A neighbouring property also took out the covenant in December, forcing the Bedwyn Pub Company to seek legal advice.

A statement made by the Bedwyn Pub Company said: “There is no doubt that these developments are going to make our work harder, but our legal team has told us that covenants can be challenged, but it will take time.

“We totally commit to keep working through, however long it may take, and it could be several years. Our sole aim is to get the pub back where it belongs.

“We will do everything possible to achieve this, however, we can only do it if we know that we have your support.”

Mr McIvor said: “I’m pleased to say the property is now under offer and being sold with its current planning use for financial services.

“No buyer, local or otherwise, came forward for the pub in 2016, when it was on the market for almost a year with the appropriate consents in place. Right Move lists the building as ‘under offer’. Parking in Great Bedwyn is a serious issue and, with no on-site spaces, 16 High Street could not obtain planning consent to revert to its former use.”