A COMMUNITY pub has come 'one step closer' to reopening, after a potential tenant was selected and it underwent a deep clean.

The Samson Inn, in Gilsland, closed in October 2022 and is one of only two pubs in the village. In the last two years, the community worked hard to raise the funds needed to purchase the pub and ensure its survival.

The inn sits on the Cumbria-Northumberland border and Hadrian's Wall trail, meaning it was used by residents and tourists alike.

The outside of the pub has been paintedThe outside of the pub has been painted (Image: Supplied)

The Gilsland Community Benefit Society Limited (GCBSL) launched a campaign titled 'Save Our Samson' to take ownership of the Samson Inn and more than £150,000 was raised to purchase it.

READ MORE: Beloved community pub to begin transformation this weekend

The first 'Big Clean and Tidy' initiative took place on August 10 and 11, attracting more than 50 volunteers to help out.

A spokesperson from the GCBSL said: "Since becoming the proud owners of The Samson Inn, people from near and far stepped up to give it a good old touch of 'spit and polish'."

Volunteers travelled from Whitehaven, Leeds, Sunderland and Manchester, as well as from the local area.

Six trailer loads of rubbish were removed from the site.

The spokesperson added volunteers did a 'fantastic job' and enjoyed a 'good laugh and a huge buffet' over the weekend.

"We have had donations of pots of plants from Lyn Murray, shrubs and plants from Haltwhistle Garden Centre, cleaning materials from Jan Kippax to help villagers both young and old, shareholders, and GCBSL and SOS members to wield mops, hoovers, paint brushes, squirty stuff, rubber gloves, mallets and Mr Scrubbies. There were heavy lifters, gardeners, painters and demolition experts," they added.

"The pub, and its surroundings, now look very different and we are one big step closer to opening. Once again, a proud display of extended community effort and a huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time to come along and help - you have made a huge difference."

The closing date for tenancy applications has passed and the management committee have now offered the tenancy to one of the candidates. There are legal processes to follow for both GCBSL and the potential tenant. Once completed, the Society looks forward to introducing the tenant to the community.

Building works are ongoing and those who pass the pub regularly will see their progress.