Latest news with #communitypub
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cornwall village comes together to raise thousands to save local pub
The village of Ponsanooth came together at the weekend in a show of support for the Save The Stag community pub campaign. The Pop-Up Pub In The Park event on Sunday featured a host of activities throughout the day and centred around The Hundred Mile Challenge. It raised over £4,000 towards the fight to reopen the Stag Inn. The race is on in the 100 mile challenge (Image: Toby Weller) The challenge saw the whole community pull together in an attempt to walk, run, cycle, scoot and skate a combined distance of 100 miles. Not only did the village reach the ambitious target, but in the space of 5 hours, together they travelled over 170 miles! Designed to represent the village's aim of raising the funds required to bring the pub into community ownership, everyone got involved and did what they could to build the combined total. Volunteers in Ponsanooth have formed a Community Benefit Society to take on the challenge of raising around half a million pounds to buy The Stag and reopen it (Image: Toby Weller) 'This was the ultimate show of the power of a village community - whether you walked one lap or ran 20 laps of the park, every contribution helped. If we are to succeed in buying the pub for the village we will need everyone to come together and contribute in whatever way they can.' Said Sam Fitch, chair of Save The Stag. The event was to raise money to buy the Stag Inn pub (Image: Toby Weller) The line-up for the day included pig racing, live music, line dancing, circus skills workshops, face painting, a mobile escape room, a cocktail bar and so much more - all made possible by the willingness of volunteers and local businesses to offer their time and support. 'We've been blown away by the support we have received - not just the villagers who are behind us, but the wealth of local businesses who donated raffle prizes, the local breweries who donated beer, the performers and businesses who attended on the day and the volunteers who have put in so much work. It goes to show just how important we all know a village pub to be.' Said Ally McGee Harrison of Save The Stag. Getting into the groove! (Image: Toby Weller) Volunteers in Ponsanooth have formed a Community Benefit Society to take on the challenge of raising around half a million pounds to buy The Stag and reopen it as one of a growing number of community pubs around the country. READ NEXT: Consultation to change Falmouth roads - including new crossings and speed limit Boost for coastal National Trust sites in Cornwall as The Salt Path hits cinemas If they succeed the group intends to recruit a manager to oversee the day to day running of the pub, and will reinvest every penny of profit into village causes, to make Ponsanooth an even better village and community to be a part of. 'Imagine a true community pub that is run for purpose and not just for profit. That builds its business around the needs of the community, and that reinvests every penny into improving the quality of life for residents of the village, the parish and the wider community. This is our vision for The Stag', said Sam Fitch. The event was to raise money to buy the Stag Inn pub (Image: Toby Weller) As well as fundraising events and donations, the Community Benefit Society are applying for grants towards the purchase and will soon be launching a Community Shares Offer - allowing anyone around the world to own a part of the pub, have a democratic say over the way the project develops, and to earn a return on their investment. The event was to raise money to buy the Stag Inn pub (Image: Toby Weller) Organisers say they are delighted with the success of their first fundraising event, having raised nearly £4,000 from the day, and that they have a lot more ideas up their sleeves for fun and exciting ways to get everyone involved with making the Community Pub Project a success. Keep up to date on their progress through the group's social media channels and website - Or donate at -
BBC News
26-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Villagers run, skate and cycle 170 miles to save Cornwall pub
Villagers have skated, ran and cycled 170 miles (273 km) in a bid to save a Cornish Save the Stag campaign aims to raise about £500,000 to save The Stag Hunt Inn in Ponsanooth and hosted its first event on of the group said they wanted to turn the building, which was up for sale, into a community-run pub so it can be kept in the village and managed by fundraiser - which had a target or 100 miles (161 km) - raised £3,600. Chair Sam Fitch said if they achieved their plans they would need "everyone behind us"."Some people will be able to put in a little, some will be able to put in a lot."But just like the 100-mile challenge, we hope we'll be able to reach our target and purchase the pub."The fundraiser also included pig racing, live music and a line dancing workshop. The group also applied for grant funding - offering people the chance to buy Mcgee-Harrison from the group said: "By buying it [the pub] as a community and sharing it with the community enables us to have different projects for young people and right the way through to knitting circles and things like that, so it is really important."
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Community-owned pub in Bethersden wins top real ale award
A community pub in Kent which reopened just two years ago has been crowned local pub of the year and is now through to the regional stage of the competition. The George, in Bethersden, closed for two-and-a-half years after the pandemic but relaunched in May 2023 after villagers raised the £300,000 they needed to buy Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said it soon spotted The George was "taking real ale seriously" and has made it their pub of the year for the Ashford, Folkestone and Romney Marsh Draper, chair of The George Community Ltd, said: "Being awarded pub of the year is not just an accolade for the pub, it's for all our customers, friends and supporters." The pub said it prided itself on its choice of real ales and ciders, supporting local breweries and its regular rotation of guest George also holds two beer festivals a year and hosts live music and community events including quizzes, bingo nights, board game nights and knitting social Collyer, chairperson of Camra in the Ashford, Folkestone and Romney Marsh area, said: "When The George reopened in May 2023, we realised it was taking real ale seriously."Achieving this award for a pub covered by our branch area is recognition of that commitment to delivering the perfect pint."We are delighted that The George is in our patch and look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength."The George is now up against four other winning pubs from other local Camra branches for the overall award for the East Kent area.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Redhill community pub The Garibaldi fundraising to buy its site
A community pub in Redhill is continuing to raise funds to purchase its 150-year-old Garibaldi, run on a non-profit basis by volunteers, currently leases its building but has been raising funds to buy the site since 2024, when its owner opted to sell the MP Rebecca Paul praised the "amazing" pub during a House of Commons debate on Monday but warned it was "now at risk" if it could not complete the purchase."Rather ironically, the pub is so much more than bricks and mortar but it needs to buy the bricks and mortar if it is to survive," she said. The community group that has operated the pub since 2017 held an event in May as part of its fundraising told MPs "every bit of profit The Garibaldi makes gets ploughed back into things that benefit the community" and the pub "gives back to the community in so many ways".The Garibaldi was "doing a sterling job of trying to raise the money", the MP bar hosts regular social events and its outdoor space is now a community garden managed by to Paul's comments, minister Alex Norris said he was "very interested in meeting" the MP to discuss what support the government could give The Garibaldi.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Popular pub to close next week despite attempt to protect it by local community as owners say ‘we will never forget'
A POPULAR community pub is set to close at the end of the month. Locals are upset to learn about the closure after a campaign to bring it into community ownership. 1 The Cask Inn on Cambridge Terrace in Scarborough is set to close on Sunday 18 May. A statement from the pub said: "This is a hard post to write, we have been informed today that The Cask will be closing on the 20th May and our last trading day will be the 18th May to give us time to remove our belongings. "As you can imagine given the efforts of ourselves and our team as well as our amazing community this is a sad day. "We had hoped to be coming back as tenants but unfortunately our plans to continue to build a community pub celebrating local music does not sit with plans they have for the building. "Please come and help us celebrate the last two weeks in our wonderful pub and help it make our goodbye memorable plus we need to drink the pub dry!!!" EMCE LTD Building Services Scarborough are the new owners of the building and will be taking ownership on May 20. The previous owners, who were part of Heineken UK, had advertised the pub at an asking price of £350,000 before the sale was put on hold after it was listed as a community asset by North Yorkshire Council last February. Locals were hopeful that the pub would come under community ownership. Their campaign received support from the Plunkett Foundation which supports 'people in rural areas to set up and run successful businesses in community ownership.' A bid had been prepared for the Government's Community Ownership Fund prior to the change in ownership. The previous owners will continue their business at The Spa Pub on Victoria Road. They said that they will continue to serve their delicious food at the new location, as well as their weekly Jazz Club which takes place every Wednesday. Locals were clearly upset by the news with hundreds of reactions to the Facebook post, and comments from locals offering to help set up the new pub. One local commented: "Good luck at the Spa. If you'd like any boards doing I'll be happy to oblige pro bono." Others remembered fond memories of their time at the pub: "So sad to read this, I started visiting the cask when I was 16 in We'll try and come over for a farewell pint or two." Punters expressed support for the owners and encouraged others to visit The Spa once it's up and running. One commenter said: "Sorry to see you go I hope everyone will continue to support you in your new place." A lot of locals commented on fond memories of open mic nights and live music at the pub, with one saying: "It was always the place to go and I've enjoyed many wonderful live music evenings there too." The Cask Inn has operated as a pub since the 1970s and serves a range of locals and holidaymakers. They have hosted Scarborough Jazz Club for more than 17 years. What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
