As of last week, The Half Moon is officially listed as an Asset of Community Value by East Suffolk County Council.

While we await to learn of the pub's immediate future under new ownership, the ACV status offers The Friends of The Half Moon and Felixstowe residents the chance to formally fundraise and bid to purchase the pub, should it come to market again.

There is an additional caveat however, reflecting the fact we did not action any fundraising in this initial phase: "Please be aware that an additional condition has been attached to your nomination: if the building is put up for sale and the moratorium is triggered, the local authority will require credible evidence that the nominating group is actively progressing toward raising the initial funds and can secure the necessary finance to purchase the asset within the initial six-week moratorium period. If the group fails to meet this condition or provide sufficient evidence of their efforts, the moratorium period will not be extended to the full six months."

While we remain hopeful and supportive of the current ownership opening the doors to The Half Moon once again; where we can demonstrate that our support in more than signatures and comments. This caveat is a strong reminder for us to stay organised until we know more of what is to come.

To all those who have signed and shared the petition in pursuit of ACV status - thank you. We hope to be raising a glass in the familiar surroundings of The Half Moon in the not too distant future; whatever the incarnation may come to be.

- The Friends of The Half Moon 🌓