Historic Village Pub Receives Community Asset Status

A pub dating back to the 16th Century has received protected status, having been officially designated as an Asset of Community Value. This decision by Leeds City Council grants the community a legal first right to bid for The Chequers in Ledsham, should the property ever be offered for sale. The parish council stated that its nomination was “pre-emptive,” citing the pub’s role as a crucial social hub for the village. The establishment itself originates from 1540 and historically formed part of the adjacent Ledston Hall estate. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, parish councillors had asserted that the pub serves as a “vital meeting place” for the community in east Leeds. The legislation pertaining to Assets of Community Value aims to safeguard community buildings against unsuitable development and alterations in their designated use. Should this clause be activated, a community group would be afforded the chance to gather the necessary funds to purchase The Chequers, with the intention of operating it themselves, prior to any offer being accepted on the open market. A spokesperson for Ledsham Parish Council commented: “As the centre of the village’s social life, the council felt it was sensible to nominate the inn as an ACV.“As far as we know, there are no plans to sell the inn in the near future so the nomination was pre-emptive, to give the council an opportunity to look at funding a bid if and when the inn were to come up for sale.” A report from the city council indicated that The Chequers Inn had previously been granted this status in 2016, but it had expired following a five-year duration. The report further stated: “In addition to events such as weddings, the Chequers Inn hosts meetings for organising committees of local events as well as club dinners and charity events.“Ledsham Parish Council state that the Chequers Inn is a meeting place for all in the absence of a community centre and attracts customers from far and wide.”