Save Our Sun: FAQs
Dent Community Pub: your questions answered
Q. What is the Crowdfunder for?
A. The owner has accepted our offer to buy and we need funds to pay for a survey of the listed building as well as paying the legal costs that arise surrounding the administration of the share offer.
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Q. What is the difference between the Crowdfunder and pledging shares?
A. This Crowdfunder is entirely separate to our campaign for community shareholders. If we are successful in the purchase of the pub, anyone who has contributed to this Crowdfunder will receive vouchers to be spent at The Sun Inn.
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Q. How much is the sale price of the pub?
A. The owner put the pub up for sale in 2024 asking for offers in the region of £500,000. It dropped to £350,000 last year then dropped to £285,000.
Q. Is the share pledge binding?
A. No, people who pledge can revise the amount they want to pay for shares by more or less. ​​​
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Q Will the register of shareholders be public?
A It will only be available to the regulator, the management committee and shareholders who have the right to inspect the register, unless all members agree to keep the register at Companies House.
Q What does a pledge mean – what am I committing?
A The pledge is NOT a legal commitment, it’s just an indication of what you think you might like to do. We hope that when we come to raise funds those people who have pledged shares will then buy real shares.
Q Can anyone buy shares? Is there any restriction?
A Anyone over 18 (or a company) can buy shares.
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Q Will the committee be managing the pub?
A No, they will act more like a board of directors, setting overall policy and strategic direction.​
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Q Going forward will there be a minimum/maximum number of people on the committee?
A Eleven is the maximum, three is the minimum.​
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Q Will the pub be open more often and for longer?
A It is planned that to maximise revenue the pub will open as often as possible, possibly with a seasonal variation. The detail of this is yet to be calculated for the business plan.
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Q Can I buy shares as a gift for someone else?
A Yes.
​Q What return can I expect from my shares and when?
A Provisionally the return is set at 4% but only after the first three years. This gives us time to get the finances of the business onto a firm footing.
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Q What’s the minimum and maximum one person can invest?
A £50 is the minimum, there is a maximum in law of £100,000.
Q Why do you want us to pledge now?
A The pledge shows that we have community support for our plans.
Q Why can’t we buy shares now?
A It is not necessary at the moment. All we need is pledges (promises) of support. Buying comes later.
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Q Can I sell my shares?
A Only back to the company (the Community Benefit Society) after the first three years. The company would have to agree and have funds available. It would be at face value.​
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Q Can I leave my shares in my will?
A Yes.
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Q Will people who own more shares have more say in decisions to be made?
A No, each shareholder has one vote.