Lifelong Shildon resident, Chris Archer is hoping to kickstart a project to renovate a long-derelict local pub and bring it back to life as a thriving community hub.
A construction manager with a trade background, Mr Archer has lived next to the former Flag and Whistle on Strand Street in New Shildon for the past 23 years, witnessing its decline to dereliction.
Having spent the past four years exploring options, Mr Archer has now created a Facebook group for the community to find out more and to share their own ideas.
In a post on the group, he explained his interest in the building and his proposal to work in an advisory role alongside a not-for-profit community interest company to revive the building.
“The original developer went into liquidation, leaving the building in limbo,” he said. “When the Crown Estate declined to claim the asset during liquidation, it became bona vacantia—a property without a legal owner, left to decay.”
However, an investor continues to hold a charge over the title, but Mr Archer has been able to negotiate an agreement with them that would allow the building to be leased to a new Community Interest Company for a nominal, or peppercorn, rent.
“We now have a real opportunity to transform this eyesore into something truly positive for New Shildon,” he said, adding, “I’m passionate about seeing this place become a landmark for the right reasons, not a symbol of decline.
“Having explored several options over the past four years, I finally believe we have a workable solution.”
Mr Archer is inviting the community to join the ‘Regeneration Of The Former Flag And Whistle pub’ group on Facebook and to fill in a questionnaire to express their opinion.
The questionnaire can be accessed in the group, or by scanning the QR code on posters distributed across the town.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
