When the Black Horse closed in 2024, the community hoped that another owner or operator might be found to reopen the pub and preserve it as one of the Parish’s important social centres. The closure was sudden. The building and car park were abruptly closed off with Heras fencing and, within a relatively short period, the site became unkempt and an eyesore. There was a palpable sense of loss within the community at the disappearance of a place that had played an important part in village life for almost 200 years.

Not so long ago, there had been four public houses in the Parish:

• Vigo Inn – closed 2014
• Horse and Groom – closed 2016
• Anchor and Hope – closed 2018

With the closure of the Black Horse in 2024, there were none. It was not the owners’ fault that it was the last pub to close, but the loss was nevertheless deeply felt by the community.

The Save the Black Horse campaign
In response, the Parish Council took the lead in setting up and funding a Save the Black Horse sub-committee. The aim of the sub-committee was to explore whether the premises could be purchased and operated as a community-based pub.

At the same time, the owner was seeking to maximise the value of the property through planning applications for two separate developments: a change of use and residential conversion of part of the existing premises to three apartments (ref: 25/01596/FL), and a planning in principle application for the creation three houses in what had previously been the pub garden (ref: 26/00695/PIP).

The proposals attracted substantial opposition from the community, and both were refused on planning grounds. Meanwhile, the Parish Council made successive attempts to purchase the premises at what it considered to be a fair market value, taking account of the property’s existing use and condition. However, a significant difference existed between the asking price and the value reflected in the Parish Council’s offers, and no agreement could be reached.

Asset of Community Value
In anticipation of this, Stansted Parish Council had already applied for the Black Horse premises, including the building and garden, to be designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) by the District Council. The rationale was that the Black Horse is a popular venue for locals to socialise and congregate. The pub plays an important role during village events such as fetes and national celebrations, and it hosts regular quiz nights. Visitors, particularly those exploring the local area, also use the pub. Furthermore, The Black Horse is the only pub in the parish and is a local employer. This case was agreed, and ACV status was granted.

An ACV listing does not give the community an automatic right to buy the property, nor does it require an owner to accept a community offer. Its significance is that, when the owner intends to make a qualifying sale, eligible community organisations can trigger a period during which they can develop a bid and seek to purchase the property. During the relevant moratorium period, the owner is generally prevented from completing a sale to another buyer.

The first 6-month open sale moratorium expired without agreement on a sale/purchase, followed by a period during which the pub could be sold privately. After a second notification by the Parish Council that it intended to bid for the premises, a second sale moratorium period commenced, expiring on 16th January, 2027.

The ACV designation therefore remains an important part of the community’s efforts to retain the Black Horse as a community asset, although it does not guarantee that the premises will ultimately return to use as a pub. The pub’s designation as an ACV, and the reasons for the designation, are factors taken into account when considering any planning application.

Keeping the community together
To help focus the community’s views, the Group launched a poster. A series of ‘Save the Black Horse’ posters and banners were produced for people to display outside their houses. These sold out quickly, and many properties in both villages displayed them in a public show of support.

The Parish Council also sought to replace some of the social functions lost with the closure of the Black Horse by establishing a monthly Pop-up Pub, held on the last Friday of each month primarily at Stansted village hall but also at Fairseat village hall. These events proved very popular and demonstrated the continuing demand within the community for a regular place where people can meet, socialise and enjoy a drink together.

In late August 2026, the Group published an opportunity for the Community to pledge financial support.

The campaign remains part of the Black Horse’s continuing history, and its eventual outcome has yet to be determined.

The Project Steering Group comprises ten residents selected by Stansted Parish Council following a public meeting of 4 November 2024. The group is supported by Plunkett UK (the national charity for community-owned businesses), and has consulted with several successful community pub projects in Kent and beyond.