Villagers in the Ogbournes have their sights set on a pub closed since the first lockdown.

The Silks, as it is known locally, has not opened its doors since March 2020 and the owner has offered the community the chance to buy it.

Locals have launched a campaign to buy it and a small group of passionate members of the community have come together to form the Ogbourne Community Pub Society.

They plan to offer members of the public the chance to buy a share in the pub and hope to raise between £180 and £500k.

The intention is to raise enough cash to buy the pub, but also to hire a member of staff to run it, rather than relying entirely on volunteers.

They say if successful the pub will undergo a significant transformation, creating a more welcoming space for drinkers and diners alike and protect the many community benefits for generations to come.

The Committee is looking to branch out beyond great food and drink - seeing the introduction of a wide range of additional services such as a day-time coffee shop and pick up and drop off point for parcels.

They also want to make the pub a visitors gateway to the Marlborough Downs, utilising the many outdoor activities that the local public footpaths, bridleways, national trails and cycle routes provide.

Those who invest in the pub will become members of the Ogbourne Community Pub Society, meaning they have a say in how the Society and pub is run.

And if being able to say you own a pub is not enough, the Society plans to offer an annual interest payment of around 3% after the pub has been up and running for three years.

Stuart Williamson, chair of the Ogbourne Community Pub Society said: “The Silks on the Downs has been bringing our community together for over 100 years.

"It has long provided a place for families and friends to come together and enjoy great food, drink and company. We’d like to keep it that way.

"Over the past 6 months, we have carefully evaluated this opportunity and we’re really confident we can establish and run the pub as a successful business for the benefit of the community and beyond.

"But we really can’t do this alone. That is why we will be inviting as many people as possible to invest and become a part owner of the pub, ensuring we protect the many community benefits for generations to come.”

They hope to follow in the successful footsteps of other community pubs like the Winterbourne in Winterbourne Monkton offers a similar array of services to the villages surrounding it. Other community pubs include the Fox and Hounds on the A4 near Hungerford, and the Swan and Enford near Salisbury Plain.

For more information on plans and the share offer email info@savethesilks.org.