A campaign to get a popular pub re-opened has taken a major step forward with the possibility of locals taking it over.

Asset of Community Value (ACV) status has just been granted for The Flying Saucer in Hempstead, making it harder for the freeholder to sell the building and land to a property developer.

In agreeing to the six-month ACV, Medway Council has recognised the pub’s positive impact on residents’ wellbeing and the valued social interest it provides.

The much-loved boozer, which closed three months ago, will not be able to be sold or developed while a steering group compiles a proposal on how to buy it through grants, pledges and loans.

It is not known at this stage how much this will potentially cost.

Following the ACV news, those behind the battle to get the beer flowing again at the hostelry, which has been serving customers since the 1950s, are urging supporters to keep up the momentum.

Bev Weir, who has lived in Hempstead for 40 years, said 450 people completed a questionnaire with around 94% wanting the pub to stay open.

She told supporters: “You all voiced what you wanted to see in your pub, but unfortunately only 55 people have pledged shares.

“If we can’t raise sufficient friends from the community - and from outside - we can’t apply for funding or grants, so the pub closes.

“Please don’t be complacent thinking others will do it, they won’t.

“We will be delivering leaflets to everyone in Hempstead shortly explaining what we are trying to achieve, a copy of which has been posted on the Friends of the Flying Saucer Facebook page. If we do not get results by September 24, it closes. Visit save the flyingsaucer@gmail.com to pledge.”

A campaign group sprung into action as soon as the brewery Greene King made the announcement in May that the pub was closing.

Many have offered their services, from practical repairs and building work to IT and accountancy skills, with the slogan “Let’s get the saucer flying again”.

Bev and ward councillor Jim Gilbourne have been in email contact with the freeholder and have visited two other ACV pubs in the county, The Harrow at Stockbury and The Plough at Trottiscliffe, to see how they work.

A spokesman for Greene King previously told KentOnline: “Closing a pub is never an easy decision, so it is with great regret that we have decided to close.

“The property will be returned to the freeholder and our focus will remain on supporting our team members at this time.”

Bev said: “The pub is at the heart of the old village of Hempstead. It’s where the elderly get together, where people go to catch up and it’s left a big hole in their lives.

“We shall never get to the bottom of why it closed. It was always popular and we are told was not losing money.

“We know it’s not going to come cheap, but we are determined to fight this all the way.”

In the recent survey carried out it was felt the place needed modernisation, should expand its food menu and become more “family-orientated”.

Bev has spoken to the Plunkett Foundation, a charity which offers free advice to community businesses for help and support on legal matters and how to successfully bid for funding.