Local News · Corsham
Decision date set for future of historic Corsham pub
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Wiltshire Council is inviting public comments on a bid to register the former Hare and Hounds pub in Corsham as an Asset of Community Value.
A decision on whether to grant protected status to a historic Corsham public house is expected to be made by Wiltshire Council in November. The local authority is currently considering an application from the Pickwick Association to designate the Hare and Hounds on Pickwick Road as an Asset of Community Value.
The pub, which dates back to the late 17th century and is a Grade II listed building, currently sits empty following its closure. The application for protected status aims to recognise the building's historical and social importance to the area. The Pickwick Association has highlighted that the site was once a coaching inn and is believed to have provided inspiration for the character in Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers .
Residents and local groups are being encouraged to have their say on the nomination before the consultation period closes on Thursday, October 15. The council is particularly interested in receiving relevant information from interested parties, including Corsham Town Council, to inform their final decision, which is due by November 10, 2026.
The Pickwick Association has argued that the pub remains ideally suited for community use, citing its character, substantial car park and garden as key assets. While the building is currently being marketed to let by specialist leisure property agent Fleurets, the association believes that securing Asset of Community Value status could provide a pathway for a community group to step in should the property be put up for sale in the future.
Under the Community Right to Bid provisions, such a designation would not prevent the current owner from selling or leasing the site. However, it would introduce a potential six-month moratorium period if the pub were to be put on the market, offering community groups a structured window of time to develop a bid and raise the necessary funds to secure the venue's future.
The property is listed as having a substantial footprint, including three-bedroom accommodation, a one-bedroom apartment, and enough space for approximately 50 vehicles in the car park. Those wishing to provide input to Wiltshire Council regarding the nomination should ensure their comments are submitted before the October 15 deadline.
Source: Gazette & Herald — Chippenham · View original