A PUB that was saved by the community has announced its new opening date. 

The Samson Inn, Gilsland, closed in October 2022, but was revived by the 'Save Our Samson' campaign, which gathered 465 shareholders, raising over £150,000 through shares, donations, and event sponsorship.

The pub will reopen on October 18.

Since its purchase, the Gilsland Community Benefit Society Limited (GCBSL) has brought in more than 50 volunteers to refurbish the venue, with the exterior of the building given a fresh lick of paint by Dave Berry. 

George Campbell has been announced as the new tenant for the pub. 

"It's such an exciting opportunity to be moving into the village and re-opening the pub after you have all worked so hard to buy The Samson Inn for the community," he said. 

"I have met quite a few of the people who have worked very hard to achieve this within GCBSL, and the local businesses that have put in the hours to smarten the building up, and the response from the community to join the staff has been great.

"I'm meeting with the B&B operators, The Bridge and The House of Meg Tea Rooms, local suppliers, organising a bit of internal decor and interviewing staff and generally getting ready to open the doors to you all," he said. 

The Samson Inn will be hosting the Big Thank You on behalf of GCBSL on October 26, with all invited from 6.30pm onwards.

To help push the initial purchase over the line, the pub also received a grant exceeding £215,000 from the Community Ownership Fund, previously part of the Department of Levelling Up.