MP calls on national park to accept community group bid for 72 Main Street

On the eve of the Yorkshire Dales National Park authority meeting tomorrow where the future of 72 Main Street is decided, local MP Tim Farron has called on board members to 'back the bid' of local residents who want to take over the building and put it in trust for the community.

A consortium of local residents known as the 'White Knights' have raised £80,000 to purchase72 Main Streetwhich houses the town's tourist information and local community centre. The building at72 Main Streetin Sedbergh is currently home to many local community groups and charities.

Previously the National Park rejected a bid from the 'White Knights' of £60,000 and instead put the property on to the open market. Tim has been campaigning for months to persuade the national park to back the community bid and save the building for Sedbergh.

The 'White Knight' group are the only official bidders for the site. The group plan to hold the property in trust for the town for up to 4 years while funds are raised to buy it from them. The consortium will sell it to a community trust or to the parish council.

Tim said: "72 Main Street is a centre of community life in Sedbergh. National Park board members must listen to local residents and agree to help keep a vital community asset in the community's' hands. I also want to pay tribute to the 'White Knights' who have found £80,000 to keep the building in public ownership. I will keep campaigning until we save 72 Main Street for local groups."