The managers at a community-run pub say they are "overwhelmed" by the support of the public after it was revealed they risked closing.

The people behind The Bevy in Moulsecoomb said they were originally apprehensive at announcing there were only months to save the community space.

However, after an outpouring of affection for the venue, the committee say they are blown away and feel optimistic about the pub's future.

Lizanne Coombers, landlady at The Bevy, said: “It was overwhelming for people to offer their time and skills. This is what The Bevy means to people.

“The Bevy is my lifestyle, we are a family and anyone is welcome into that. It means too much to too many people.

The Argus: Warren Carter and Lizanne CoombersWarren Carter and Lizanne Coombers (Image: The Argus)

“There’s so much help out there that we have to take it. It would have to be a dark place for The Bevy to close. I was so worried when the news first came out but now I’m very optimistic.”

People packed the unique pub at a meeting this afternoon to discuss how to save the venue.

Members of the community shared their thoughts on how to support the pub including membership donations and community led events.

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Father and son Ray and David Metcalfe say they have been visiting The Bevy for years. David said: “It gets people together and we are down here very often.”

Ray added: “It’s so important to have somewhere for people to come together.”

Neville Smith, 71, who lives near the pub and often visits, said: “I like it because I have quite a few friends here, if this wasn’t here I would have to rely on somewhere else.”

The Bevy announced this week that it faced closure in two months after revealing the pub had "never really turned a profit".

The pub first opened in 2014 after replacing The Bevendean which had closed four years prior.

The Argus: The public meeting at The BevyThe public meeting at The Bevy (Image: The Argus)

Residents banded together to open the venue, which has since become a hub for the community and a range of different groups, charities and events.

The venue is recognised as the only community owned pub on an estate in the country.

As well as a pub, the venue is also used as a community space and has been described as a "real community asset" by councillors.

Warren Carter, chairman of The Bevy’s committee, said: “We are massively blown away by all the support.

“People really care about The Bevy and they don’t want to lose another community space. Locally it would be devastating but nationally I think it would blow the whole model out of the water.

“You won’t find a better mix of people anywhere in Brighton.”

As part of the mission to save the pub, The Bevy has been asking for donations from members of the community.

Donations to the community centre will help to allow The Bevy to continue to offer activities such as senior’s club meals and family friendly events with meals and activities for children.

Donations can be made by visiting www.thebevy.co.uk/donate/.