A COMMUNITY is coming together in an attempt to save an abandoned pub in Stretford from oblivion.
Save the Robin Hood, a collective of residents in the town, are in talks with the owners to purchase the pub at the crossroads of Barton Road and Urmston Lane.
Built in the 1800s, the Robin Hood has been abandoned since 2018, and photos taken inside the pub show it has deteriorated into a desperate state.
The owners want to turn it into around 20 apartments and houses, some of them in the car park, with an active planning application on Trafford Council's website.
READ MORE: See inside Stretford's Robin Hood as collective tries to rescue pub.
An earlier planning application was withdrawn in 2020, while the active planning application was submitted around a year ago but is still undecided.
However, Colette Nerini, a Stretford resident of almost 10 years and the coordinator of Save the Robin Hood, believes the collective has a better idea.
She told The Messenger: "This is the best place with the best people in the world.
"It's so important for us to hold on to the historic buildings we have in Stretford."
Colette set up a social media account for Save the Robin Hood, which attracted hundreds of followers in the space of a few weeks.
One post on the account with more than 750 reactions and 165 comments reads: "We’re teaming up to save this incredible old boozer from the developers and transform it into a thriving pub where everyone in the community can enjoy a pint or two together.
"We reckon saving spaces like this isn't just about beer, it’s about building community, fostering creativity and protecting heritage.
"We want to be there for the christenings and birthdays, weddings and wakes. A pub that’s a landmark for our town in every sense of the word."
It concludes: "We’re putting the Robin Hood back in the hands of the people. A pretty apt name, isn’t it?"
Save the Robin Hood are to set up a crowdfunder in the coming weeks, in what Colette calls a 'fighting fund' for the collective.
There is a meeting at Stretford Public Hall on May 12 at 7.30pm, with all those who want to help Save the Robin Hood invited to attend.
For information, search for the collective on Facebook.
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