The long-serving landlords of a Wiltshire pub are departing after 20 years and hope the community will take over the venue.
Helen Curtis and her husband Simon have run The Jolly Huntsman, on Kington St Michael in Chippenham, for two decades.
In October last year, the pub went on the market after the pair decided to retire from the industry, sparking the creation of a community group bidding to buy the venue.
The Kington St Michael Community Pub Project plans to safeguard the pub’s future by raising the money to purchase it and install a new tenant.
Mrs Curtis, who will be keeping The Jolly Huntsman open until a buyer is found, said she was hopeful this group would take over the building.
READ MORE: Villagers hoping to buy much-loved pub on the market for months
She said: “We don’t want to see the village lose its pub and we’re absolutely delighted they’ve come forward to try and raise the funds.
“I genuinely believe it’s the gel of the village and the hub of the community, it will be a lot of work but I’m really glad they’re going to try and make the best of it.
“I’m totally on their side and will continue to do everything I can to help.
“If any village can do it this one can, a major operator is as welcome as the next but if the villagers raise the money they deserve to take it over.”
Villagers have praised Mrs Curtis and her husband for 20 years of “successful” trade at the pub.
She initially worked as a barmaid at the venue and bought it four years later after falling in love with the village.
She believes it is the right time to retire after suffering two heart attacks, something she says was a “wake-up call".
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“It’s time for me and my husband to move on, 20 years is a long time in this trade”, she added.
She continued: “I stayed here because I loved the village, the pub, and the people in it.
“Of course I’ll miss it, there’s some lovely characters here and it’s an amazing village with a community spirit so I want someone else to carry on that work.”
The Jolly Huntsman, which is listed as an asset of community value, remains on the market for a guide price of £650,000.
The community pub project is in the early stages of fundraising which includes applying for a range of grants.
If another appropriate buyer is found the group will stand aside and return all raised funds.
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