Richmond Council has officially declared a pub in Hampton an Asset of Community Value (ACV) after campaign group, Save the Dip, applied for the pub to become an ACV.

The Railway Bell, affectionately known as 'The Dip', suspended trading in April 2024 following the death of longtime licensee, Seamus O'Kane.

The freehold was then offered up for sale, causing Save the Dip to campaign against its selling.

As an ACV, the campaign group is now a priority in buying the freehold of the pub should it wish to.

Speaking about the news, Save the Dip's leader, Robert Lee told Nub News: "We are delighted that Richmond Council has approved our application to protect this much-loved local asset.

"We are now working on a plan to make an offer for the freehold of the Railway Bell, probably by forming a Community Benefit Society.

"I'm very grateful to the 450 people in our group for their support, and we hope to have a proposal to put to the group in September."

Locals are invited to join the campaign by emailing [email protected].