Hope for campaigners as pub owner wants to sell );
A VILLAGE pub which shut almost eight years ago could re-open under new ownership.
Satwinder Sandhu, who bought the White Lion at Crays Pond in 2013 and lived there unlawfully with his family, has told South Oxfordshire District Council that he wants to sell the premises.
The former Greene King pub has been declared an asset of community value by the council so he can’t market it until September under a statutory six-month moratorium to give residents time to make an offer.
The Save the White Lion action group, which has been fighting to restore its use as a pub, has formed a non-profit company which will prepare a bid.
Village pub could re-open after almost eight years );
THE White Lion at Crays Pond could re-open almost eight years after it shut.
Businessman Satwinder Sandhu, who bought the former Greene King pub in 2013, is understood to be in talks with new tenants who could run it jointly on a lease of about five years.
Mr Sandhu had been living at the premises with his family, despite not having permission to use it as a private residence, and only left when South Oxfordshire District Council obtained a High Court order.
Last year, a group of villagers successfully campaigned to have the pub relisted as an asset of community value, which makes it harder for Mr Sandhu to sell.