SALE OF THE BLACKSMITHS ARMS, BIGGIN
Your Parish NEEDS YOU
The Parish Council were notified of the intention of a disposal of an asset (The Blacksmiths Arms, Biggin) by the present owner on 05 September 2025. The pub is protected by an ACV (Asset of Community Value) which the Parish Council first applied for in 2018. The ACV is designed to protect a community asset for the social benefits and interests of the local community. At a Parish Council meeting on 29th September 2025, the Councillors unanimously resolved (with 28 members of the public present) to trigger the full moratorium period.
The full resolution is detailed here:
To approve and confirm to North Yorkshire Council by 16 October 2025 that Biggin Parish Council qualifies as a relevant Community Interest Group under Regulations 5 (1) (b) and 12 (a) of The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012 and therefore wishes to be treated as a potential bidder for The Blacksmiths Arms, Biggin.
The Full Moratorium Period will operate for 6 months from the date NYC was informed of an intention to dispose, 5 September 2025, ending at midnight on 4 March 2026, and gives local community interest groups the opportunity to put an offer together and place a bid.
During this 6 month “Full moratorium period” the owner may continue to market and negotiate sales but may not exchange contracts. There is one exception where the property may be sold to a Community Interest Group during the period. If a bid is received the owner may choose to accept or decline the offer. Once the Full 6-month Moratorium Period has ended, they are free to sell to whomever they choose and at whatever price and no further moratorium will apply for the remainder of a protected period lasting 18 months from the date the council was informed of the intention to dispose. The protected period would remain in place until midnight on 4 March 2027.
It was agreed at the meeting on the 29th September, that a working group be formed. If you are interested in joining the working group to research the options available to the local community, please contact georginaashton@outlook.com
Useful documents/ links: