A HEREFORDSHIRE town has bought a pub after months of fighting to keep it going.

The group, Open Arms Kington, wants to start a social enterprise that will contribute to the town's social and economic regeneration and help build long-term community resilience coming out of the Covid pandemic.

Its plans centre around the Oxford Arms, in Duke Street, with the group wanting to create a space that presents opportunities for a wide range of ages, abilities and interests.

It wants to preserve one of, what the group believes to be, the town's most cherished pubs and community venues, while also investing in the creation and development of an inclusive and vibrant community hub for Kington.

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It is all part of the hope to secure a vibrant future for the landmark building, a 17th-century town centre coaching inn which boasts a bar, restaurant, function room, six ensuite letting bedrooms, owners' accommodation, a beer patio, and car park.

But as it is a listed building this made it more complicated, but the village has now made an offer which has now been accepted.

In the New Year the group should be the new key holders and be ready to embark on the next exciting stage of the journey.

The group has questions, welcomed lots of feedback and learnt a lot along the way so far, said a spokesperson.

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"It has been incredible to hear how much support there is for the project," said the spokesperson.

Community ownership has been at the heart of its vision, and it is welcoming ideas on how to successfully achieve this for the benefit of the town.

Open Arms will be at the Kington Winter Food Festival on Saturday, December 3.

"We hope that you will be able to come and see us to share your views or just to say 'hello'," said the spokesperson.

"Finally, we wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for your continued support.

"It makes such a difference and we do appreciate every smile and cup of tea and friendly face."