Group looks to bid for the Cross Guns

The community purchase of the Cross Guns Inn in Pant has taken a step closer as a small steering group came together to say that they are interested in bidding to purchase the pub.

After Admiral Taverns put the property on the market in October 2025, a number of local people have been looking to see if there’s support for a community bid for the pub.

At a recent meeting, locals came together to agree that they would spearhead a bit on behalf of the whole community.

The group has decided to call a public meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday 20th November at Pant Memorial Hall – to find out if there’s wider support for the bid.

Thanks to a donation from Llanymynech & Pant Parish Council, the group will distribute a leaflet throughout the village, which includes an invitation and a survey.

The results of the survey will be discussed at the meeting on the 20th and speakers from another successful community pub will be invited, along with professional advisers who have set up many community pubs in the past.

Said Cllr. Alice Bond, Chair of the Parish Council: “The Cross Guns is an asset to the local area and offers employment and entertainment locally. The Parish Council supports the idea of a community bid for the pub.”

The steering group has emphasised that there’s much to do before the pub can be bought by local people but says that’s it’s totally feasible.

Currently, there are more than 200 pubs that have been bought by local people and there’s no reason why people in Pant couldn’t do the same.

The actual price of the pub has not yet been negotiated but organisers say that if 250 households in or near the village could invest £2,000, then a bid would become a reality.

A spokesperson at Admiral Tavern commented: “We are strong believers in the importance of community pubs and our focus is always on helping our licensees run sustainable pub businesses.

“Despite our best efforts to reopen The Cross Guns and recruit for a new licensee, we have conducted a thorough review and felt in this instance, that the pub did not have a long-term sustainable future within our estate and therefore we have taken the decision to put the pub up for sale.”

The steering group are already looking at how the pub could be improved for the community including toilet refurbishments and creating a cozy village pub feel.

If you receive one of the leaflets, please do complete the survey and attend the public meeting on Thursday 20 November 2025 to learn more and give your opinion.

The Cross Guns can only become community owned if the community actually want it and support the bid financially.

All welcome.

We will have speakers from a successful community-led pub in Shropshire as well as our professional adviser who will work with us to create a business plan and successful share issue.

Well run community pubs can build social cohesion and community

Said Cllr. Alice Bond, Chair of the Parish Council: “The Cross Guns is an asset to the local area and offers employment and entertainment locally. The Parish Council supports the idea of a community bid for the pub.”

To complete the survey online, click here