Community · Corsham
Campaign launched to save historic Corsham pub from permanent closure
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Residents in Pickwick are moving to secure the future of the Hare and Hounds, a Grade II listed former coaching inn that has stood empty for months.
A community-led effort is underway to protect a historic Wiltshire pub that has remained vacant since its sudden closure earlier this year. The Pickwick Association, a local residents group, has formally applied to have The Hare and Hounds in Pickwick, Corsham, registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
The move aims to safeguard the site after members of the community expressed concern over the loss of a key social hub. The pub, which also serves as a piece of local history, was a regular meeting place for the Pickwick Association and local walking groups. If the application is successful, the ACV status would provide the local community with a six-month window to prepare a bid should the property be put up for sale.
In its application, the Association highlighted the social importance of the site, noting its previous role as a central venue for local gatherings. Beyond its utility as a pub, the building is a Grade II listed site dating back to the late 17th century. It holds particular historical significance, with connections to Moses Pickwick, a former landlord and the inspiration for the titular character in Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers .
The pub is currently being marketed for lease by Fleurets. Details from the listing reveal that the property includes substantial trading areas, a beer garden, and a large car park with space for approximately 50 vehicles. The building also features living quarters, comprising a three-bedroom accommodation and a self-contained one-bedroom apartment.
Local residents have pointed to the site’s potential, citing its prominent location on the A4 and its proximity to a growing residential catchment area as reasons why the business remains a viable community asset. The outcome of the ACV application will determine whether the local community gains the legal right to intervene in the future of the historic coaching inn.
Source: Gazette & Herald — Corsham · View original