The CCS
Caverswall Community Society (CCS) is a not-for-profit co-operative formed to enable the local residents of Caverswall and Cookshill to own and operate their village amenities for the long-term benefit of the village. (CCS is a registered society under Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, FCA registration number to come).
The CCS was formed in response to the closure, in August 2016, of the The Auctioneers Arms, the last operational pub in Cookshill which is on the fringe of the village of Caverswall located in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The primary aim of forming the CCS was to prevent the pub from being demolished by a property developer with the view to taking it into community ownership. The idea to develop The Auctioneers Arms primarily as a community hub with a pub, cafe/coffee shop was tested at a public meeting in November 2016. This then generated enough enthusiasm to form a steering group comprising of about 14 members who created an action plan and met regularly to discuss the progress of the project whilst also launching a social media campaign to ask local residents to support their campaign.
The Challenge
The first challenge was to register the pub as an asset of community value (ACV) with the District Council which meant that the community has the right to make a bid to buy the pub and is given the first opportunity to do this during a six month moratorium period. This was successfully achieved in October 2016. The next and most difficult challenge was to identify ways to raise the finance through various funding streams such as bank loans, match funding and community share offers.
Although the pub still remains an ACV, the owner has since taken the pub off the market. The Society’s intention is to launch a share offer and to raise sufficient funds so that we are in a position to approach the owner with proof of funding and a firm commitment to make a further offer to buy the pub. Original Business plan and new business plan can be viewed on the strategic documents page.
Your pledge and support are essential for us to achieve this.
Our Vision
To develop a sustainable community business, that is inclusive and with a reputation for good customer service, that contributes to a vibrant and thriving village.
Our Aim
Our aim is to encourage more local people and visitors to use the Auctioneers Arms by providing a high quality service at an affordable price, creating loyalty by providing an experience customers want to repeat.
