Brown Edge Parish Council have released a statement on The Hollybush Inn, with the aim of clearing up alleged "serious misunderstandings" they had seen on social media.

The statement was released yesterday (Wednesday), and is signed by by council chairman Peter Turner and clerk Denise Wheat.

It clarifies that there is "no risk" of The Hollybush closing, and also includes several additional details on the council's decision-making process and the status of the planned purchase.

The statement also claims that "a member of the council has been misquoted by the press". Biddulph Nub News stands by the quotes in its original story entirely.

The statement is as follows:

"We understand from social media comments, that there appears to be several serious misunderstandings or misinterpretations regarding the councils [sic] intentions and position regarding the potential purchase of the Hollybush. Individual Parish Councillors are not allowed to comment on Parish Council business to either attack or defend council decisions or decisions they as individuals have made, which is why councillors you might expect to be responding and clarifying matters, are unable to do so. To make matters worse a member of the council has been misquoted by the press which seems to be an occupational hazard these days.

"The Parish Council wish to make it clear that as far as they are aware, there is no risk of the pub closing, and any decisions the council has made or will be making will only be to enhance the tenants [sic] opportunity to build on the work and finance that they have invested.

"The pub and car park have been an integral part of our community for literally hundreds of years, and with the closure of other pubs it has become increasingly vital for it to be retained and any possibility of closure however far in the future, removed.

"After lengthy discussions and support from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council It [sic] is believed that a way has been found for the community to eventually own the pub and the car park. Any plans that the council or the community have regarding the future of the whole site will be up for discussion and developed into the neighbourhood plan and voted upon by the community as a whole in a referendum. The main point is that the community will decide, not the council.

"Despite what is appearing on Social Media it is not anticipated that the Council will need to raise its precept. However if it does this will be after a public consultation and a vote.

"The current owners are quite rightly seeking to maximise its value/income which is their legal responsibility, whereas the council is seeking to maximise the long term prosperity and opportunity for the community. The council do not envisage any change in the operation of the pub. The Parish Council are not allowed to operate it as a pub or to be anything but a facilitator before the community set up a community trust or cooperative that would purchase the pub from either us or SMDC. The tenancy is not and cannot be affected in any way. In fact their position is enhanced.

"The council would also like to point out that all decision the council have made have been unanimous decisions of the council. All members are committed to fighting for the long term prosperity of our community.

"As part of any procurement process SMDC and the Parish Council have to undertake due diligence to understand the legal position and to ensure their potential assets are not only worth what they are paying for, but also that the special situation around the COVID is not likely to affect the valuation of pubs in general in the future. It would appear that some people have read this in the press to mean that The Holly Bush in some way in particular is immediately threatened. To our understanding this is not the case. We would encourage all Brown Edgers to use our village pubs and shop as much as possible in order that with the help and hard work of the staff operating them they help keep our community active vibrant and prosperous."