Inn with a chance? 

The Kingsbridge Inn is up for sale – again.

But it won’t go on the open market yet – not until viable community groups have had the chance to step forward with a request to be treated as a potential bidder.

This is because the historic building, a fondly remembered town watering hole until it closed 2016, was declared  an Asset of Community Value by the district council.

As reported  previously in the Totnes Pulse the future of the Kingsbridge Inn has been hanging in the balance since a planning application was made in 2024 to approve its use as a family home. Since March 2017 it has been lived in by a family. It is still designated for planning purposes as a pub and consequently its residential use is against the law.

Groups have until July 28 to come forward and one group has confirmed to the Pulse that it’s seriously looking at the prospect.

Mark Sanders-Barwick, one of the campaigners who fought for the community protection order, said: “It’s definitely on the table.”

If a bid is put forward,  the moratorium on open market sale will be extended to six months. This means the owner can only sell to a valid community group like a local charity or community interest company in that time.

With a dozen pubs in the town and all the restaurants on top, there’s no shortage of places to have a drink.

The campaigners say it could become a community hub, with workshops, a cafe and fitness classes all in the mix.