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Hopes of reopening Wroxton’s North Arms pub dashed
12/02/2021
Wroxton College pulls out of project and decides to sell North Arms
Villagers in Wroxton have had their hopes of their local pub reopening dashed after the owners who planned to save the pub announced they had decided to sell the property. The North Arms had been purchased by Wroxton College (Fairleigh Dickinson University) with a view to renovating and reopening the venue.
In a statement issued today Wroxton College said: “The College wishes to inform everyone that Fairleigh Dickinson University have reached the conclusion that they are unable to move forward with their plans concerning the renovation and reopening of the North Arms and that, as a result, they will be putting the property on the market for sale (the intention being for sale as a pub).
“They have reached this decision – regretfully but finally – as a result of: (a) the mounting costs associated with the project; (b) the adverse financial and business situation to-date resulting from the Coronavirus both here in the UK and in the United States; (c) the exceptionally uncertain nature of the future business environment both here in the UK and in the United States as a direct result of the Coronavirus situation.”
The North Arms has been closed since 2013. A campaign to save the pub received a lot of local support. Then in 2016 Wroxton College announced it had bought the pub and began work liaising with district council planning officers to get permission for the changes they wished to make to the building.
In January 2020 the College announced it had moved forward with its plans. They said: “We are delighted to inform you that Wroxton College of Fairleigh Dickinson University has today – Friday 10th January 2020 – been notified that the University has been granted permission, subject to a variety of conditions to move forward with the renovation/redevelopment of the North Arms.
“The next steps will be: 1. Put the project out to tender for a period of time; 2. Decide which tender to accept; 3. Commence work (currently estimated to be 48 weeks in duration).”
The note concluded: “We look forward to finally opening the pub and thank you for your patience and support.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam