The Bell at Kersey has been made an Asset of Community Value (ACV) after a parish council bird was successfully granted by Babergh.

However, Stonegate Pub Partners that own the building, which has recently been leased to new landlords, are adamant they have no plans to sell.

Kersey Parish Council decided in October to take steps to secure the future of the Bell as a pub and sent in their nomination in November, after receiving enough backing within the village.

Babergh agreed the bid satisfied the requirements and after an assessment granted the ACV, which will stay in place for five years until January 4 2027.

An ACV means that a local land charge has been made relating to the property and a restriction placed at the Land Registry.

Should the owner, in this case Stonegate Pub Partners, wish to dispose of the property in the future, unless there is an exemption in place, they will be required to inform the Council in writing, at which point a six month moratorium period will be triggered before a sale can take place.

Following the departure of popular landladies Janet Woodard and Wendy Green at the beginning of December, the lease has been taken over by Derii Rogers and Sean Phillips, and the owners see no reason to change their minds.

A spokesperson for Stonegate Pub Partners said: "We confirm that Derii and Sean took over The Bell on a tenancy agreement prior to Christmas and we will be working in partnership with them. There are no plans to change the status of the premises."

Kersey parish council has been contacted for comment.

Meet Kersey Bell landlords Derii and Sean.