Distraught villagers have launched a campaign to save a pub once visited by the future King Charles - and that was the hideout for a notorious mob of London gangsters.

The White Horse in Upton has been run by the community since 2012 when it was acquired by villagers after having been on the brink of closure.

But the venue is once again facing an uncertain future following concerns about its finances.

On Wednesday, November 22, a group calling itself 'Save the White Horse' called a meeting which was attended by approximately 150 concerned locals.

Eastern Daily Press: The White Horse in Upton is a community-run pub since 2012. The White Horse in Upton is a community-run pub since 2012. (Image: Newsquest)

According to the group, the pub - which is run by the White Horse Development Trust Community Interest Company (CIC) - was losing approximately £2,000 per week at this time last year.

One of the pub's shareholders, who wants to remain anonymous, said: "Financial performance has fallen dramatically."

The pub is run by a board of four directors: Sally Aldridge, John Brewer, David Cooke and Deborah Horne.

Ms Aldridge and Ms Horne attended the emergency meeting. They have both been contacted for comment.

READ MORE: Norfolk pub celebrates a decade since being saved by the community

Eastern Daily Press: The future King Charles III pours a pint at the White Horse. The future King Charles III pours a pint at the White Horse. (Image: Archant Norfolk)

The shareholder said: "The community is distraught because they worked so hard to get it as a community asset. 

"We need to work out some way of saving the pub."

The campaigners have suggested the board appoint six new directors to bring in "fresh blood".

"A group of people is trying to do something [to save the pub] but the board is not acting," the shareholder said.

Yioda Blagden, who has lived in Upton for 27 years and attended the meeting, said: "It is the hub of Upton. 

"We're all crying out for help but we seem to not be getting anything from the board."

Eastern Daily Press: A flashback to the then Prince Charles chatting to pub regulars at the White Horse. A flashback to the then Prince Charles chatting to pub regulars at the White Horse. (Image: Archant Norfolk)

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On Thursday, November 23, the 'Save the White Horse' group sent an email to the directors stating "the process of decision making is taking too long".

"Every day that goes by means less resources will be available to help save the White Horse," they added.

The group said they will call another public meeting and ask the board to attend and present their proposals to save the pub.

Accounts filed on Companies House show the White Horse made a loss of £39,727 for the year ending on July 31, 2022.

A director's report, written by Mr Brewer in April this year, said the loss was "disappointing" but not "fatal".

He said the directors had "a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operations existence for the foreseeable future".

According to a post on the 'Save the White Horse' Facebook page, the board "should be able to pay liabilities until the end of November and need Christmas to generate cash".

The Save the White Horse campaign group has also been contacted for comment.

Eastern Daily Press: CHEERS! The White Horse, which was on the brink of closure, is rescued after being acquired by villagers in 2012. CHEERS! The White Horse, which was on the brink of closure, is rescued after being acquired by villagers in 2012. (Image: Denise Bradley)

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If the pub was to close it would be a major blow for those who battled to keep the venue open in 2012.

That summer, it was bought by the community with £50,000 backing from The Prince’s Countryside Fund, Broadland Community Grants, Broadland Community Renewables and the Norfolk Community Foundation.

In 2014, The Pub is the Hub provided £4,000 worth of funding for a community shop to be added in a converted barn adjacent to the pub.

In 2016, the then Prince of Wales visited the venue to see how it had become a community hub thanks to funding from two schemes he sponsored.

During his visit, which saw him welcomed by more than 100 villagers, he said: “I am extremely impressed with the level of community spirit that was shown by people here to save their pub."

Eastern Daily Press: QUIET LIFE: Charlie Richardson (far left) in the bar at the White Horse with (from left) Colin Harrison, Dennis Lamb and Led and Mary Goodley. QUIET LIFE: Charlie Richardson (far left) in the bar at the White Horse with (from left) Colin Harrison, Dennis Lamb and Led and Mary Goodley. (Image: Submitted)

The pub is also known for being a former hideout for notorious south London 1960s gangsters the Richardson gang.

A picture of the gang still sits on one of the pub's walls.