Vendor rejects bid despite this being for the full asking price
The Stonesfield Community Benefit Society is considering its next move after its bid to buy the only village pub was rejected, despite coming up with the full asking price with a guarantee to exchange contracts as soon as possible. It had earlier been assured by the vendor that he would sell to the community if these conditions were met.
The selling agent, Fleurets, has confirmed that an alternative offer has been accepted for the pub, in a village near Woodstock. The 1,000-strong community ownership group does not have confirmation of who the proposed new owner is or what their future intentions for the White Horse are. It is trying to contact the vendor to see if there is any chance of salvaging the situation, and if not then to build a relationship with the new owner if possible.
“We are bitterly disappointed to bring you this news having fully met all of the demands placed upon us to achieve the purchase of the property,” says a statement on its website. “Hundreds of people in Stonesfield and the surrounding areas have supported our campaign and over a thousand people worldwide have backed us so generously.
“The intention of the Stonesfield Community Pub Group remains to do all that we can to ensure that Stonesfield continues to have a pub. As such, we shall continue to seek out the factual information that is required for us to make the best informed decision as to the next steps. We understand that you may well have questions; as these come in we shall formulate a Q&A for you all.”