Croydon Council has granted Asset of Community Value (ACV) status to The Kenley Hotel. It means the building has been formally recognised as having importance to the local community under the Localism Act. ACV status does not force the pub to reopen, prevent a sale, or stop redevelopment proposals on its own. However, it does give the community important rights if the owner decides to sell the property. In that situation, community groups can trigger a grace period that provides time to organise a bid to purchase the pub.
The campaign was led by KENDRA. We submitted the nomination after gathering local support and asserting that the hotel has been a community landmark for more than 150 years.
The ACV designation is:
- Recognition of the hotel’s community value.
- A stronger basis for arguing that the site should remain a community-focused facility.
- A mechanism that gives the community time to organise should the property come onto the market.
The next key question is likely to be what plans the owners have for the site and whether there is sufficient community interest and funding to support a future community-led proposal if a sale occurs.
KENDRA would give its help and support if the owners (Star Pubs) decided to renovate the building and return it as a community pub. Unfortunately efforts to contact them remain unanswered.
Now the hard work (and fundraising) begins
If the Kenley Hotel comes onto the market, we have to be ready to make a bid for it. To raise funds would require us to form a legal entity.
KENDRA wants to create a Community Benefit Society (CBS), which is a legal, not-for-profit business structure, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This is an essential step which ensures all its business is conducted in a legal, transparent and open manner.
Community Benefit Society fundraising appeal
Creating a CBS will incur legal fees and documentation costs, estimated at £2500. At a recent meeting the KENDRA Committee pledged to pay half. The remaining £1250 will have to be funded by supporters.
To make a donation please contact kenleyacv21@outlook.com for details. More funding information will be published soon. (Funds for the CBS will be held temporarily by KENDRA until we’ve set up a dedicated bank account for the CBS).
How you can help
A working group is being set up to establish:
- how a re-opened pub would benefit the community
- how to raise capital, should the pub come up for sale
- a viable business plan for the future
If you have any expertise or simply want to give your support to the revival of the Kenley Hotel please send your details to kenleyacv21@outlook.com and we will keep you informed about future plans and meetings.