Since The Bell Inn in Iden, just outside Rye, closed its doors in June 2023 the residents have been active in coming together to try and buy the pub and install a tenant to run it.
Two years on and after many discussions, fundraising nights, offers to the owners, grants applied for and disappointments over a lost opportunity of Community Ownership Fund (COF) government funding , the next stage is to object to an application, posted online last week, to Rother District Council by the current Bell owners.
They wish to get permission to change the pub into a three-bed dwelling and sell on so that they can move away from Iden. The Bell is the only public house in Iden and is missed by residents which is why the Save the Bell campaign is still active after more than two years.
The Community Benefit Society (CBS), formed 18 months ago, has lead the acquisition and has now called a meeting in Iden Village Hall on Thursday, September 18 at 6pm for a 6.30pm start to lay out an update of recent negotiations and how residents can object to the change of use.
Martin Chalet, Chair of the CBS, will lead the evening and invite questions. He said: “We hope Iden residents continue to support the cause and will come along on Thursday to get clarity on the part they can play to object by the deadline of October 10.”
Image Credits: Christopher Strangeways .
I do hope the residents are successful in their quest to keep the pub open. It is already in existence and is fitted out with the necessary facilities, etc; a village pub is an essential for locals to meet and stay in touch with each other.
Iden Parish Council will be meeting on Tuesday 7 October at 7.30pm in the Village Hall All three applications concerning the Bell will be on the agenda
Everyone is invited to attend
Comments may be made to Rother Planning about the applications via its web site by the 10 October
I am astonished (or maybe not) that Rother District Council should even contemplate allowing a community asset such as The Bell to be turned into a private speculative business by individuals who apparent do not want to be part of the local community and thereby lack any community spirit. The Bell should remain a community asset and hopefully sufficient investment can be found to assure it’s future as such.
I feel strongly about the future of The Bell.
I understand that legally, whoever buys a Grade 2 listed property, whatever it’s type, becomes a custodian of a piece of history, acting as a caretaker to ensure the building’s cultural heritage is maintained for future generations. Surely this law applies to the owners of The Bell and should protect the pub for the use of future generations.
The Bell Inn has held a dominant position in Iden for 400 years and holds a major social role for people living in the area, particularly as there are no other pubs, cafes or restaurants in the village and no evening buses. Many locals are elderly and do not drive so the pub is of major importance for the social and wellbeing needs of the village.
Having recently moved here from a village that was devastated by the loss of it’s pubs, and having been assured that The Bell was reopening in 2025, I am willing to help in anyway I can to secure the pub for the village.
Please let all the locals know of how to object to a change of use and of all forthcoming meetings etc.
As an experienced caterer/landlord I also feel passionate about Pubs being part of village and community.
Am trying to view The Bell this week. To help reopen and operate a fabulous building.
Alison Frost 07811734391