"It's been a rollercoaster," says Debbie Taylor.
Her domestic abuse service has been attempting for nearly three years to purchase the derelict Ram's Head pub in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, without success.
However, under the new landmark "community right to buy" legislation in England, which came into effect this week, the organisation may finally have the opportunity to convert the building into a hub offering local services.
"It's more than a building. It's what it can represent in the future for us and for the families that we're supporting," Taylor explains. "It's safety, stability, a future for people in our communities left with no options when they're in crisis."
Sweeping reforms in England have empowered thousands of community groups like Debbie's. The legislation is part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, described by ministers as "the biggest transfer of power to our communities in a generation."
This law grants grassroots organisations the right to buy community assets without opposition if they can secure the necessary funds within 12 months.
Previously, there was a "right to bid" for assets of community value such as pubs and libraries, with a six-month period to raise funds. However, a study indicated that only about 2% of such assets transferred into community ownership, largely because groups struggled to raise money in time.
When the Ram's Head was put up for auction, Taylor's organisation, Domestic Abuse WA12, had not gathered sufficient funds, and the pub did not meet its reserve price to sell.
With a combination of public fundraising, borrowing, and charitable grants, she aims to both expand the organisation's services and prevent the disused pub from becoming a site for antisocial behaviour.
"Securing the property would allow us to bring all our levels of support together under one roof to create an accessible community where people can feel safe but also rebuild their lives.
It could have such value in our community for so many people, and be saved as a beautiful building as well."
"This is a real watershed moment, we are thrilled," says Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Locality, the national network for community-led organisations.
"We know there is a real need for dedicated funding and support around community ownership. It's a fantastic new right, but it needs to be backed up by clear support and access to resources."
Armstrong notes that the new rights come with some concerns, as the current government did not renew the £150 million Community Ownership Fund, which previously assisted community groups in acquiring local assets at risk of closure.
Without a dedicated funding source, Armstrong fears that despite the 12-month window, only wealthier communities will be able to raise the required funds.
"The key risk for this is that it remains an achievement on paper, rather than being something which can be taken up, up and down the country. I think that's our real concern," he says.
The new legislation also broadens the definition of what qualifies as an "asset of community value." Previously, a building had to have been used for community benefit within the past five years, but this restriction will be removed.
The definition will also be expanded to include assets that contribute to economic as well as social wellbeing, along with a new category for sporting assets.
"We can push for this now"
This change could benefit Deana Bamford, whose co-operative Coalville CAN aims to transform the shuttered market hall in Leicestershire's town centre into a community hub for clubs, social enterprises, a café, and a rotating events programme.
The local authority, which owns the building, previously rejected the co-operative's application to designate the former market hall as an asset of community value. However, the new laws provide groups the right to appeal such decisions.
"Hopefully that will give us more traction to be able to push them to say 'we're going for it again,'" Bamford says.
"There's still a lot of industry around the edge of the town, and there's still loads of people who could come into the town centre, if we could start getting hold of the buildings that aren't being used and make them available for people to do the things they're passionate about," she adds.
The co-operative previously used community share offers to open their current premises, CAN HQ, which showcases the work of over 100 local creatives and artists, alongside an advice drop-in, repair workshop, and kids clubs.
They have also received funding from musician Brian Eno's Coral Foundation.
"Coalville is a town typical of many others… it's got areas of deprivation – you might call them that – but we call it full of local people with loads of skills and talents that haven't been given the chance," Bamford states.
She hopes the new law will ensure that places like the market hall remain permanently under community ownership.
"It's for forever. Once the asset's been secured and upgraded, it can change its purpose, but it can't change its ownership."
