EDM 1584: Community-led reopening of The Lion pub in South Cambridgeshire

That this House congratulates the residents of Ickleton in Cambridgeshire on the successful community-led reopening of The Lion public house, formerly The Ickleton Lion, after raising over £440,000 in just 10 weeks to save the historic 18th century building; notes the extraordinary efforts of the Ickleton Community Benefit Society and the 415 investors, both local and international, who came together to secure this vital community asset from closure and redevelopment; applauds the many volunteers who dedicated hundreds of hours to restore the pub, ensuring it could reopen its doors as a welcoming and inclusive hub for all generations; pays tribute to lifelong resident Betty Willmott, aged 93, for her moving words and symbolic role in the reopening, and to campaign chair Rachel Radford for her inspirational leadership; acknowledges the important role played by County Councillor Peter McDonald in initiating conversations between Ickleton and other community-owned pubs and for his tireless support throughout the process; recognises the irreplaceable social, economic, and cultural value that village pubs bring to rural communities; and calls on the Government to increase support for communities seeking to protect and restore local assets of community value.