A COMMUNITY venture in Ennerdale could face closure if it does not clear thousands of pounds worth of debt.

Ennerdale Hub Ltd, which runs the Gather - a cafe, shop and community centre - needs to repay £33,000, which it has stacked up since it took over the running of the village pub seven years ago.

The Fox & Hounds, which was previously run by the Hub, had been losing thousands of pounds.

Even though the Ennerdale Hub Ltd handed the lease of the pub back to its owner in February, it still has to repay its creditors.

Carol Higgins, manager of The Gather, said the debt was "through no fault of the Gather", but because it has been trading under the Ennerdale Hub, the debt had to be transferred.

"Obviously the bad side of that is we're just a new business and we don't have £33,000 to actually pay that off," she said.

"Some of the creditors want that money by the end of May, so if we don't raise that money, we would have to close the Gather."

She added: "The Gather is doing really well, it's sustainable and it's already making a profit in its second year."

Miss Higgins said there was a fundraising strategy in the making, which was announced at a community meeting held last week regarding the situation.

A JustGiving page has been set up, with the hope that people who enjoy visiting The Gather will want to make a contribution.

Miss Higgins said they are also asking more shareholders to come on board and they are looking for more fundraising ideas.

Ennerdale Hub Ltd was formed seven years ago, through investment from over 200 people. Enough money was raised to open the Fox & Hounds, West Cumbria’s first community-run pub.

The Gather opened in 2016. It is mostly run by volunteers - over 50 people now give their time to sustain the centre as a profitable enterprise.

The community room hosts a range of activities, including yoga, tai chi, needle felting and photography, as well as a monthly film night, reading group and gardening club.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a shareholder or would like to discuss fundraising ideas, should contact The Gather via bookings@ennerdalecentre.com or visit the team in the cafe.

Donations can be made direct to The Gather through its JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gatherennerdale