CAMPAIGNERS fighting to keep the historic Manor House in Otley as a working pub have been given a six-month stay of execution to come up with a plan to save the venue.

The pub on Manchester Square, which dates back to the 19th Century, closed last weekend and long-term tenants David and Eileen Stefan bade farewell to the Manor House.

This came after the building’s owners, Thwaites of Blackburn, decided to put the pub on the market — but prospective buyers could potentially use the structure for any use.

Under Asset of Community Value legislation, a six-month moratorium has now been triggered, meaning the Manor House can’t be sold until the beginning of 2023.

This gives Otley Pub Club a window to try to attract a buyer who will keep the Manor House as a licensed premises, or even to build a case for it being run as a community pub by the people of Otley.

Rob Skinner, Chair of Otley Pub Club said: “There is now a six-month period in which we can secure the future of The Manor House as a pub, as it has been since the 19th Century. The Manor House is a proper community local, with huge history and a reputation for music.

“We hope that either a new operator will agree to buy the pub or that a community group will raise the funds to do so. Either way, The Manor can be a successful pub and we look forward to working with others to secure the future of this famous and much-loved pub.”

There is precedent for this legislation being used to save pubs in Otley. In the case of the Black Horse Hotel in Otley, where the Asset of Community Value moratorium was also triggered, Kirkstall Brewery then came in and bought the pub at the end of the sixth months.

Campaigners say there is a similar opportunity for a local brewery or small pub company or an individual to buy the pub. Otley Pub Club will campaign to keep the Manor as a pub and will support any new owner or a community bid and will oppose any attempts to change the use of the pub.

The Manor has a reputation for folk music, with sessions and open mic evenings and it has long been the post concerts venue of choice for musicians on the annual Otley Folk Festival weekend. The Manor has a historic late 1am licence meaning that many people, often including other pub and hospitality staff, gather there at weekends.

The pub has separate areas giving a traditional and cosy feel and in the winter, there is an impressive open fire. In the warmer months, the surprisingly large outdoor terrace at the back is a pleasant place to enjoy the weather, along with a marquee for music and an impressive seated smoking shelter.

Greg Mulholland, President of Otley Pub Club added: “We urge Thwaites to commit to working with us and the community, to ensure that the Manor remains as a pub. The Manor is both a historic pub and a unique one and very important as the most easterly pub in Otley.”

Prospective new owners and community groups can take a 3D tour of the pub on Otley Pub Club’s website, thanks to the work of Apollo3D.