PUBS have been hit hard by the current economic climate, and rural pubs even more so.
But a group of villagers have taken a stand – and banded together to launch a campaign to help retain their only public house.
Residents calling themselves The Friends Of The Vine Inn have joined forces in South Thoresby, a few miles from Louth, in the wake of a planning application to change the premise's use.
Jeremy Crisp has applied to East Lindsey District Council to change the pub – which has been closed since 2009 – into a four-bedroom bed and breakfast guest house and tea room.
If approved, the four existing guest rooms at the building will be upgraded and the former public bar area/dining room will also be upgraded and improved.
According to the planning documents, Mr Crisp said: "Our intention, should a final decision go in our favour, is to run the premises, with the former bar and dining areas used as a breakfast area and evening lounge area for guests.
"It is also our ultimate desire to open a tea room through the summer months at weekends, utilising the former bar area and former beer garden for this purpose."
South Thoresby has been left without a pub since the establishment was repossessed in 2009 when it was under different ownership.
It was internally stripped of almost all pub-related equipment and fixtures.
The Vine Inn was then bought by Mr Crisp in 2010 with the intention of reopening it as a pub but this later proved unviable.
It was advertised for six months, according to planning policy, with the intention of being sold as a going concern, but there was only one viewing in this time.
But locals are objecting to the application as they want to see it reopened again as a pub.
Louise Mansfield said: "South Thoresby is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The village is lucky enough to still have a working church and all the community events used to centre around the Vine Inn.
"The car park was also always open to ramblers to use which is part of this community way of life.
"We have had people using our recording studio who are disappointed the Vine isn't open as a way of getting out the office.
"Twenty-two people attended a recent parish council meeting to object to the latest application. They were all saying that the Vine is a vital community facility."
The planning application is in the public consultation stage and will be decided by ELDC in due course.
ON THE WEB: Have your say by visiting www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk or e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
