Almost £200,000 needs to be raised by March 19 to save a “much-loved” community pub.

The Step, in Myddleton Road, Bowes Park, closed in 2020, and residents are now being urged to purchase community shares to save the building from redevelopment.

‘Save the Step’ campaign says it needs to raise £199,000 of its £250,000 target over the next couple of weeks.

In December 2022, the former music venue was awarded a grant from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund, which will match every pound raised through community shares.

The pub and restaurant first opened on the Victorian high street in 2011, and regularly hosted live music, comedy nights and art exhibitions.

But the venue was gutted by developers after it closed, and was due to be turned into flats.

After 500 objections to the planning applications, locals formed a community benefit society to buy the premises. 

Haringey Council declared the building an 'Asset of Community Value', which meant the private sale was halted and people living nearby would be given the chance to put in a bid for the venue.

‘Save the Step’ said that funds raised over the next few weeks would be used by the community to buy the building and refurbish it so that it can reopen to the public.

Dan Jones, chair of 'Save The Step', said: “We are thrilled to formally open our share offer and invite the public to invest in this very special project.

“Since launching this campaign last summer, we have been overwhelmed by the support from the local community, as well as the investment from the Government, Architectural Heritage Fund and Co-operative UK’s Booster Fund.

“We are now so close to making this a reality, but we only have… [a few] weeks so would urge anyone who wants to be part of this exciting opportunity to act now.

“For those keen to learn more, please head to our website - www.savethestep.com, get in touch with any questions, or come along to one of our events over the coming weeks, details of which are listed online.”

'Save The Step' added that veryone who becomes a shareholder will be able to withdraw their investment once reserves have built up from tenant rental income.

Shareholders will also be able to vote on using surplus towards community events, and may receive small interest payments from their investment.