JUNE 2024 - FLYING SAUCER CLOSES

Beverly Weir began communications
Spoke to the Freeholder regarding his plans for the sale of the pub
8th July - Applied for Asset of Community Value (ACV) from Medway Council
Jim Gilbourne came on board
Started to post messages on community Facebook page to gauge support for a Community Buy Out
Sourced help and advice for buy outs: found the Plunkett Foundation
Spoke to Lucia (Plunkett) and received lots of information and started step by step advice
Lots of conversations with the Freeholder
Organised setup (with volunteers) outside the Co-op for the weekend. There were feasibility questionnaires printed, asking for the community to complete them. Some were also left in the Post Office and Pharmacy, with a closing date for responses of 5th August

Chose people from the questionnaires and details submitted in the church hall meeting to join a Steering Group
Had the first Steering Group meeting on the 1st
ACV granted on the 2nd
Second Steering Group meeting (over Zoom) on the 5th
Application completed with the Plunkett Foundation for further free advice on legal matters and share distribution
Emailed the Freeholder on the 6th, requesting entry for a valuation
Had leaflets printed which were hand delivered to every house in Hempstead (and beyond) by a group of wonderful volunteers. The leaflets explained the progress and details to move forward as well as a link to join the dedicated Facebook group.
A new website (this one) was created on the 12th, with all the information contained in the leaflet to get started
An update meeting for public attendance was held in Hempstead Library on the 14th, which was very well attended
Third Steering Group meeting held on the 15th
The Freeholder emailed to confirm that he would consider selling on the 18th
The fourth Steering Group meeting (over Zoom) was held on the 20th to discuss how to let people know that a sale was possible
Zoom meeting with Phil Harriss (from Plunkett) and Steering Group Action Planning on the 29th
Discussion with Commercial Valuers (Dabro & Associates) regarding getting a valuation, with or without access to the building

Steering Group meeting on the 6th to discuss next action plan
Joined the Plunkett Foundation (paid membership)
Organised 2 meetings (due to high numbers) to be held on the 12th at Hempstead Library to provide everyone with the latest information:

the 5 year business plan

interest on shares and loan option

planned events for fund raising to

donations to help pay costs

the Big Share Issue launch event on 1st February 2025

TO COME

Meetings held with with potential Investors
Email finally received from Freeholder giving access to Valuer
21st : Valuer carried out valuation of The Flying Saucer, awaiting report (early December) ;some Steering Group members met with Valuer
22nd : Beverly and Jim meeting with Medway MP Naushabah Khan re:
a) where government is with Community ownership fund (match funding)
b) where government is per Lisa Nandy's commitment to strengthening the community rights legislation, re ‘Right to Buy’.
c) Future of tax relief for community enterprises. i.e. tax relief available to investors, investments that qualify for tax relief etc.
She is sourcing answers and will get back to us.
23rd : Fundraising event, Christmas Craft Fair
24th: Steering Group meeting.