The owner of a village pub in North Hertfordshire that is listed as an Asset of Community Value has expressed its intention to sell, prompting the council to ask community groups if they wish to be considered as bidders for the asset.

The Cricketers pub in Weston was added to North Herts Council's list of Assets of Community Value in September 2019, following a nomination by Weston Parish Council that successfully argued the pub furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the community.

Now, the pub's owner, Anglian Country Inns, intends to sell The Cricketers in Damask Green Road, which has triggered a six-week period during which time community groups can register their interest to bid for it.

A spokesman for North Herts Council explained: "If an owner wants to sell a property that has been listed as an Asset of Community Value, then they must notify us that they want to do so.

"When we receive notification from the owner, this triggers an initial period of six weeks during which the owner can only sell to a local community group.

"Within the six-week period, a local constituted/incorporated community group can ask for that initial period to be extended to six months. This gives the group the chance to talk to the owner about purchasing the property and raise the money to do so.

"During that six-month period, the owner can only sell the property to a local group.

"The owner is not obliged to sell to a local group and can just wait for six months and sell it to whoever they want.

"The landowner [of The Cricketers] has confirmed their intention to sell the site and therefore this triggers the interim six-week moratorium period, and NHC is required to publicise this locally.

"During this period, community groups may request in writing to be treated as a potential bidder for the asset, notifying both the landowner and the council. This will bring the full six-month moratorium period into force."

The interim moratorium period began on April 12 and runs until May 24.

The full moratorium period, if triggered, would conclude on October 11.

To register your interest in bidding for the pub, call North Herts Council on 01462 474000.