THE team behind a proposed venture to buy a closed pub for the community say more than £100,000 has been pledged to make it happen.

Campaigners want to save the former Fighting Cocks, in Middleton St George, near Darlington, amid plans to turn it into a shop.

The pub had been operating under the name of Platform One but it closed last year during the second lockdown.

Plans have been submitted by the owner to turn it into a convenience store, understood to be Sainsbury’s, creating 20 jobs.

Roy Tomason, from the Save the Fighting Cocks Community Pub campaign group, says they have received informal pledges of more than £100,000.

He added: “That’s on an informal basis at the moment.

"We have had a number of pledges from people who are prepared to put their hands in their pocket.

"But we can’t transfer anything until we know what the planning situation is.

“If they grant planning permission then we can’t go ahead with the scheme so we have to wait for the committee.”

Darlington Borough Council will be making a decision on the proposals to convert the former pub building into a shop.

Plans have been lodged with the council, which have attracted 120 objections and 24 letters of support.

Mr Tomason said: “We are now waiting for the committee to make a decision. Hopefully we will have the chance to make a representation to the committee.

"Once we have dealt with planning, if we are successful in getting the application rejected we will work on raising funds and holding a public meeting.”

The group is also working with the Friends of the Darlington and Stockton Railway, as the pub stands beside its trackbed.

Middleton St George Parish Council, which got the building listed as an asset of community value last year, was among those to object and is backing the proposal to reopen it as a community pub.

In a statement sent to planners, it said: “The number of community pubs all over the country is increasing dramatically, and they are thriving despite the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, benefitting from a range of Government and other funding and support in the community-led campaigns.

"Consequently, there is very strong evidence to show that such a venture can succeed and thrive.”

Mr Tomason added: “Hopefully we can stop the planning and get cracking.”