Concern over future of East Sussex village pub
Will the people of Horam be able to walk to a village pub again?
That's a question posed by many on social media after the recent acquisition of the King's Head by the East Hoathly community.
The May Garland, an attractive single-storey building on the corner of Chiddingly Road and the A267, was once a thriving business, It had a growing take-up amongst young professionals living on the new Merrydown development in the heart of the village.
But the former pub has been sinking into a derelict state for the past ten years with overgrown shrubs and weeds obscuring the windows, children's broken play equipment and sagging buildings at the rear.
Records show The May Garland is owned by Asher Burman under the remit of Sussex Country Holidays.
Residents say there seem to be people living there as the lights are often on at night.
Andy Billings, Chair of Horam Parish Council's finance committee explained the building is registered as an Asset of Community Value, or ACV.
At a full parish meeting this week members agree to re-apply for the ACV status to be renewed. This gives the parish the option to bid for the site should it come to market and must be renegotiated every five years.
He said: "It is an unloved asset. We missed the opportunity to use CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) money to acquire the Horam Inn when that ceased trading and later became the Co-operative store."
He feels The May Garland could prove a profitable business in the right hands. It is a short walking distance from development schemes which could deliver about 700 new homes to the village in and around Chiddingly Road.
He said: "It holds an enviable position and would benefit the people of Horam immensely. It is close to the recreation ground and the village hall. I believe it came on the market a while ago.”
He added: “I do not know the state of play at the moment. It would be good for Horam to have a pub of its own. The village is set to increase substantially in size and population."
First records for the May Garland date from 1851 when it was run by innkeeper James Ralph from Waldron. It later passed to Alfred Noakes from Hellingly and then on to Thomas Tuppen.
The Sussex Express has been unable to contact Mr Burman for a comment.