There are currently over 170 Pubs in the UK that are owned by the community around them.
At this point in time, there is 100% success rate of these Pubs.
We list some of the Pubs that have experience that that are, or are trying – like us – to become, Community Pubs benefitting their local area.
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TRAVELLERS REST – Skeeby
Now a Community owned Pub after battle and move to Compulsory Purchase Order
Britain’s longest running community pub group succeeded in its campaign to save The Travellers Rest, Skeeby, near Richmond, after 12 years of closure.
The Travellers Rest was closed in 2008 after years of neglect by the Pub Co. who owned it. Bought by a property developer in 2010, plans were quickly announced to convert the pub into a dwelling.
The Skeeby Community Pub Society (SCPS) was then formed to fight the ‘change of use’ and gather support for purchase and renovation of The Travellers Rest as a community pub.
Over the next 6 years, a bitter struggle took place with planning applications being submitted and refused and the interior of the pub being completely stripped out by the owner who continued to refuse numerous bids to buy the property
SCPS lobbied Richmondshire District Council (RDC), to consider Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) action to acquire the Travellers Rest and sell it back to the community. Eventually, this was agreed and the owner, faced with a CPO, then decided to negotiate ’in good faith’ with the SCPS.
A shortfall of £50,000 between the owner’s demand and what the SCPS could offer was bridged by a grant from RDCL. This enabled the purchase to take place.
The Travellers Rest is a fabulous success story.
The result?
A fantastic, atmospheric, family friendly community pub re-opened this year, in 2023, which will act as inspiration for all other “Save our ~Pub’ campaigns
www.thetravellersrestskeeby.co.uk or email thetravellersrestskeeby@outlook.com for more information.
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THE GEORGE AND DRAGON – Hudswell, nr Richmond
The beacon which lights the way for all North Yorkshire Community Pubs!
The George & Dragon was the first community-owned pub in North Yorkshire and the first to win CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year award in 2016. When it originally closed in 2008, Hudswell was left with no other facilities for its residents apart from a village hall.
Within two years, the community banded together to form the Hudswell Community Pub Ltd group and bought back the pub, re-opening in June 2010 after extensive renovations. A meeting place and venue with excellent food, drink and company, it also houses the village library, a local shop staffed by volunteers, community allotments and has free internet access.
Illustrious visitors have included (the then Prince of Wales) HRH King Charles III and Rishi Sunak, the local MP, now Prime Minister.
www.georgeanddragonhudswell.com
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FORESTERS ARMS – Carlton-in Coverdale
One of the ‘grand-daddies’ of community pubs!
“The earliest recorded ale-house keeper of this atmospheric ancient inn was Edward Wright who held the license from 1775 until 1779. Following this, it was most likely members of the Clough family who ran the pub until William Walls bought it from Roger Dawson of Middleham in 1797….”
Things are different, nowadays.. In 2011 the Forester’s Arms was bought by the local community. It is now run as a Community Co-operative, operated by the friendly and welcoming Paul and Diana.
Located just 6 miles from Leyburn, besides offering great food, wines and beers (including something rather unique – the ‘drink of the gods’ – Theakston’s Old Peculiar in the keg!), you can also stay in one of the comfortable, well-fitted out 3 letting rooms and admire the views over Roova Crags and Penhill
http://forestersarmscoverdale.com
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EGG – EXELBY GREEN DRAGON – nr Bedale
In 2016, the Exelby Green Dragon had been in decline for some years and the owners were pondering what could be done. Fearing the worst, a group of concerned locals formed the Exelby Green Dragon Group, had the pub and associated land listed as an Asset of Community Value and eventually bought the pub in 2018.
The group then morphed into the Exelby Green Dragon Community Pub Ltd a Community Benefit Society with the aim of operating as a community pub, village shop and hub, fostering community cohesion, combating social isolation and promoting health and wellbeing through activities, services and facilities in and around Exelby.
One part of the land was sold to a developer who then helped reconfigure another part as the pub carpark. A small cottage, attached to the main building, was also refurbished and rented out. The community pub started trading alongside the continued renovations culminating in the opening of shop and café and B&B Accommodation in late 2019.
The Green Dragon is now a successful and comfortable community pub serving good food and drinks.
Besides paying a dividend to shareholders, the CBS has also established a small community fund available to groups, organisations and individuals who undertake a community-based activity in or around Exelby using the Exelby Green Dragon pub or café as a Community hub.
www.exelbygreendragonpub.co.uk
In the Waiting Room
Below are Pubs that are currently in the process of raising purchase funds and eventually taking over their local Pub.
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THE BLACK LION – Skelton-on-Ure
After closure in 2019, the campaign to save and reopen it as the Black Lion Community Pub and Hub got under way. In November 22, they were able to get the building nominated as an Asset of Community Value and opened negotiations with Admiral taverns who own the building. Their Share Purchase scheme was opened in June 2023 and success then followed with the award of a grant from the Community Ownership Fund, this September.
Many congratulations to their hard-working steering group and we hope they will own and commence the refurbishment of the Black Lion before Christmas 23
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THE OLD HORN INN – Spennithorne
In the summer of 2022, the owners of the Old Horn in Spenithorne applied to Richmondshire District Council for planning permission to convert the pub into two residential units.
This horrified the residents of the two villages of Spennithorne and Harmby who formed a community group to save their historic and well-loved pub. As the Old Horn Community Pub Society, they sprang into action, assisted by the Plunkett Foundation and local councillors from both Richmondshire and North Yorkshire County Councils who lent their support. After getting it listed as an Asset of Community Value, they triumphantly completed the purchase of the Old Horn Inn on 16th June, 2023 using funds they had raised through a local Community Share Issue and a matching amount from the Community Ownership Fund.
Since then a massive and hectic volunteer-led rebuild and refurbishment of the building has been under way, Pictures of these efforts can be seen on the website at www.oldhorncommunity.org. It is anticipated that this ancient but rejuvenated and wonderful community pub will re-open for business later this year.
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If you have any comments or information on other community Pubs, please contact us on hjcc@thehenryjenkins.com.