Residents are hoping to buy their village pub and turn it into a community hub.
On Monday, the Cockfield Village Group launched a scheme for people to buy shares in the venture.
They also want to relocate the village shop and post office there, as well as start a café.
Peter Finch, chair of the Village Group, Virginia Adam, shop volunteer, and Barbara Turner, former shop owner
The Plough and Fleece in Great Green, is on the market with a price ‘on application’.
It has been listed as an asset of community value by the district council after a failed planning application to turn it into a house.
Vincent Scholier, secretary of the Village Group, said: “We initially began taking pledges towards the cost of the pub in 2023 as a show of interest, and raised around £77,000.
The Plough and Fleece. Picture: Mark Westley
“The same year, however, the group also took over the running of the village shop and post office, on a voluntary basis, as the owners decided to retire.
“We now need to relocate the shop for its long-term future, and feel the best place would be the pub site.
“We have put together a business plan for the pub venture, as well moving the shop there, and creating a café there, so it can become a vibrant all-day community hub, for all ages.
“We have seen hundreds more people move into the village since the pub closed in 2019, our facilities are limited and we are hoping people will buy shares to create this new venture.”
The Plough and Fleece is a two storey public house with bar, dining, kitchen facilities and storage areas.
The current layout of the ground floor bar and dining area includes seating 20 covers with the addition of drinking and games areas.
The Cockfield Village Group has been set up as a Community Benefit Society, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. If successful, any profits from the venture would be invested back into the community.
The group hope to raise £250,000 through shares, which would then be backed by a commercial loan and grants.
Cockfield has around 1,000 residents and the group is hoping people from the wider community will buy into the scheme.
“It was a very popular pub in its day,” added Vincent.
“However, we all know that pubs have had a hard time in recent years which is why we hope the idea to relocate the shop there, along with the café, will enable us to run it as a sustainable venture.”
South Suffolk MP, James Cartlidge, has also thrown his weight behind the plans, which he felt are ‘in the best interests of the community’.
To find out more, visit www.cockfieldvillagehub.co.uk
People can buy shares until March 16, from between £25 to £25,000.