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The Honest Miller pub in Brook near Ashford up for sale

A well-known village pub is up for sale after its owners departed two years after taking the reins.

The freehold of The Honest Miller, in Brook near Ashford, is available to buy for £495,000 plus VAT.

The Honest Miller in Brook is on the market for less than £500,000 with more than an acre of land
The Honest Miller in Brook is on the market for less than £500,000 with more than an acre of land

Unfortunately the signage of the pub - owned by Admiral Taverns - has fallen into disrepair, with letters missing from its name.

Now the property is being sold by Sidney Phillips, who highlight the 1.68 acres of land included in the site.

Residents and locals have suggested since its closure in February the community could buy it, hoping to follow in the footsteps of residents in Ash and Stockbury.

While it has been highlighted as an 'Asset of Community Value', this does not mean those living nearby have priority.

Sidney Phillips' Robert Cockayne said: "The property is listed as an Asset of Community Value with Ashford Borough Council.

The Honest Miller has wide rooms and a period fireplace
The Honest Miller has wide rooms and a period fireplace

"Should the owner of an ACV listed property wish to sell their interest, this would trigger an interim moratorium period for the nominating group or charity to express their interest in purchasing, which, if enacted, then grants a full moratorium period for them to raise funds and complete the purchase.

"However under the Localism Act 2011 which provides for Assets of Community Value, there are exemptions to this situation, which is the case with the Honest Miller as the property is being sold for continued public house use and is a part-listed disposal.

"The nominating group and/or community can still purchase the property, they just have to go through the same motions as the rest of the market rather then relying on a Right to Bid during a moratorium period."

The large dining room has a capacity of 40 to 50, depending on the layout of tables
The large dining room has a capacity of 40 to 50, depending on the layout of tables
A large tract of land is included in the property sale
A large tract of land is included in the property sale

When asked if - due to its community value listing - it had to remain a pub, the sale's agent said: "In order to not use the property as a pub, they would need to seek planning permission from Ashford Borough Council for a Change of Use to an alternative class usage, depending on what they wanted to do.

"Being listed as an Asset of Community Value is not a definitive blocker for a change of use, but can be a strong argument against permitting it.

"Again this would depend on what somebody wanted to use it for, as for example, change of use to residential does not produce an asset beneficial to the community (unless say it was all affordable housing), whereas change of use to say a community centre or place of worship would."

To view the property's listing, click here.

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