Community Owned Pubs
Stepping Forward to Secure a British Cultural Cornerstone
Pubs matter in Britain. They really matter.
I wrote an article called Talking to Strangers, which was picked up by the Royal Society of Arts and republished as Let’s Not Lose our Pubs. It is probably the most feedback, comments and conversation an article of mine has ever provoked. And I’ve been writing for a long time.
I think that once upon a time in our lives they were just there. We never really had to think about why we valued them. But as we fear losing them, we’ve come to realise that they are more than a place to enjoy a pint. That they are a thread in the fabric of British society, woven into the nation’s history, culture, and community life. I know that sounds like a lofty claim, but stay with me.
Pubs foster connection, conversation, and a sense of belonging. And they are great places to lose an hour or two. But sadly, the past few decades have seen a significant decline in pub numbers.
The good news is that there is a response. Community ownership has emerged as an important model to preserve pubs, to ensure their sustainability and to reinforce their role as community anchors. It’s not the only answer to decline, but it’s the one I’m going to explore in this essay.
I wanted to take time to understand and celebrate the rise of community ownership, and share examples of community-owned pubs, examining their efforts to build sustainable futures.
And I wanted to take my hat off to these people who really stepped up for what they care about, the place they live.
Deep Roots
Pubs are deeply embedded in British culture, serving as the “original social network” (British Beer & Pub Association, as cited in). Some say they trace their origins to alehouses and taverns from the reign of Henry VII, evolving into central hubs for social interaction, community events, and cultural traditions.
They were big in Tudor times. When I worked at London Bridge, I used to call in at The George Inn, Shakespeare’s local, from time to time. Its balconies are thought to be behind the design of theatres. It’s getting off topic, but I also loved The Market Porter just across the way at Borough Market. It used to open at, I think, 5am so that market workers could get a beer.
My own belief is that pubs date back even earlier, to the taverns the Romans opened up when building the roads. So, well before AD 410. I work in construction infrastructure myself, and can well understand the need to build pubs to quench a thirst at the end of a long day. Although their core market demographic, as I’m sure Romans didn’t say, would have been the weary traveler. In Chaucer’s later Canterbury Tales, inns are a place for rest, food, and storytelling.
Throughout time they’ve had to adapt, but possibly no more so than now. They host everything from quiz nights and live music to weddings and wakes, fostering social cohesion across urban and rural communities. I’m happy with a quiet beer and good conversation.
Pubs create jobs and are economic contributors, with the beer and pub sector generating £34.3 billion in gross value added and £6.6 billion in direct tax contributions in 2022. Those are the numbers, but when you talk to people it’s amazing how many had their first job in a pub, pot washing, waitressing, collecting glasses. It wasn’t my first job, but being a barman every Friday night and every other Saturday really helped my confidence and ability to both relate to and deal with people.
Culturally, pubs sustain traditions like folk music and dance while supporting contemporary live music scenes, with many famous bands starting their careers in pub venues. The Hope and Anchor in Islington is famously the venue where 999, X-Ray Spex and other bands in the punk scene played early gigs, and later Madness and The Libertines. At one time we had a category of music called pub rock. The good news is that bands are gigging again.
In rural areas, pubs often serve as the last remaining social space, combating loneliness and bringing people together. Their role in promoting moderate alcohol consumption and responsible social interaction, particularly among young adults, underscores their value as spaces for social sustainability. Dads taking sons for their first legal pint is a tradition in many families, and they can spend time talking, pretending it’s the first pint.
All of these things, and yet pubs face existential threats, a catalyst for innovative community-led solutions.
Decline but not Fall
The decline of British pubs is well-documented. Between 2001 and 2018, the UK saw a 25% reduction in pub numbers, from 52,500 to 38,815, with closures averaging 37.5 per week from 2016 to 2017.
By 2017, there were 73 pubs per 100,000 people, down from 111 in 1990, driven by a 22% drop in pub numbers and a 15% population increase. Rural areas, particularly remote communities, have been hit hardest, with suburban areas showing mixed outcomes and city centres with thriving night-time economies experiencing some growth.
There are several factors contributed to this decline. Competition from supermarkets and off-licenses offering cheaper alcohol, the rise of in-home entertainment like streaming services, and changing demographics, including as reduced alcohol consumption among young people and some ethnic groups, have reduced pub patronage.
The 2007 smoking ban and high business costs, including taxation, have further strained traditional pub models. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, with lockdowns threatening pub viability. Additionally, the cost-of-living crisis and inflation have increased operational costs, further jeopardizing pubs.
It’s worth taking a few minutes to understand these dynamics, as they provide the context in which pubs either thrive or close. But part of me feels “enough of that”, let’s move on to the fightback.
The Fightback
So, luckily the story doesn’t end there. It doesn’t end with every pub closing its doors in the face of overwhelming odds. Part of our story begins here, in a story of community resilience and determination.
Community ownership has emerged as a promising strategy to reverse pub closures, particularly through the Localism Act of 2012, which introduced the Community Right to Bid. This legislation allows communities to list pubs as Assets of Community Value, pausing sales for six months to enable community groups to raise funds and bid for ownership.
The Plunkett Foundation, established in 1919, has been instrumental in supporting this model through its More than a Pub (MTAP) program, which provides grants, loans, and business development support.
The MTAP program has significantly increased community pub ownership. In 2016, there were 58 community-owned pubs in England; by 2021, this number had risen to 122, with MTAP supporting 63 of them. In 2017 alone, community pubs grew by 30%, with 14 new pubs opening. These pubs are owned democratically by community members, often organized as cooperatives, and prioritize social and economic benefits over profit. They foster social capital, reduce isolation, and create sustainable business models by diversifying services, such as hosting community events or offering non-alcoholic options.
Despite successes, challenges remain. In deprived areas, limited community wealth and professional skills can hinder ownership efforts, with MTAP failing to bring any of 20 targeted deprived-area pubs into community control. High property costs, particularly in London, and the lack of legislation to counter developers also pose barriers.
Thriving Community Pubs
I wanted to highlight some of the growing number of community owned pubs. If you know them, please share your stories in the comments. If you have other ones that are your favourites, tell us about these too. Let’s celebrate them
1. The Ivy House, Nunhead, London
The Ivy House, a historic pub in South London, was listed as an Asset of Community Value in 2012 after facing closure. Community members formed the Ivy House Community Pub Ltd, raising over £500,000 through share offers and grants to purchase the pub in 2013. Since then, the pub has thrived as a community hub, hosting live music, comedy nights, and community events like book clubs and quizzes.
Its democratic management model ensures local input, while diversified offerings, including food and non-alcoholic beverages, have bolstered financial sustainability. The Ivy House has become a model for urban community ownership, demonstrating how collective action can preserve cultural assets in high-cost areas.
2. The Antwerp Arms, Tottenham, London
Facing closure in 2013, the Antwerp Arms was saved by the Antwerp Arms Community Association, which raised funds through a community share offer and support from the Plunkett Foundation. Purchased in 2015, the pub operates as a cooperative, with over 300 shareholders. It has since expanded its role as a community hub, offering local ales, food, and events like quiz nights and charity fundraisers.
The Annie’s focus on affordability and inclusivity has ensured steady patronage, while its tenant-run model allows professional management while maintaining community oversight. The Antwerp Arms exemplifies how community ownership can balance business viability with social impact.
3. The George and Dragon, Hudswell, North Yorkshire
The George and Dragon, a rural pub closed in 2008, was purchased by the Hudswell Community Pub Society in 2010 with support from the Plunkett Foundation and a community share scheme. Reopened in 2010, it now serves as a multifaceted community hub, incorporating a shop, library, and allotments.
The pub’s diversified services, including local food and events, have ensured financial stability, while its cooperative model fosters community engagement. Recognized as CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year in 2016, the George and Dragon demonstrates the potential for rural pubs to thrive through community ownership and innovation.
Building a Sustainable Future
Nothing stands still. Nothing is a given. And pubs are finding new ways to be relevant, to be viable.
Community-owned pubs have adopted several strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. Diversification is key, with many pubs expanding beyond alcohol sales to offer food, accommodation, and community services like shops or libraries (). For example, the George and Dragon’s integration of a shop and library has broadened its appeal, attracting diverse patrons.
Engaging younger demographics through low- or no-alcohol options and modern entertainment, such as live music or fitness classes, helps counter declining alcohol consumption trends. Financial support from programs like MTAP and the £150 million Community Ownership Fund has been critical, providing grants and loans to ease the burden of high purchase costs.
Policy reforms also play a role. Recommendations include replacing business rates with a more equitable local tax and strengthening planning laws to protect pubs from conversion or demolition. A proposed government taskforce could oversee a long-term vision for the pub sector, integrating pubs into broader strategies for high street renewal and night-time economy revitalization. However, challenges such as staffing shortages, maintenance costs, and competition from developers require ongoing community and governmental support.
Conclusion
The British pub remains a cultural and social cornerstone, but its decline threatens community cohesion and local economies. Community ownership offers a viable path to preserve these vital institutions, with models like cooperatives empowering locals to take control. Success stories like the Ivy House, Antwerp Arms, and George and Dragon illustrate how community-owned pubs can thrive by diversifying services, fostering engagement, and leveraging external support.
While challenges persist, particularly in deprived or high-cost areas, the growth of community pubs, supported by initiatives like MTAP and the Localism Act, provides some positive signs for a hopeful future.
I believe that by combining community spirit with innovative business practices, these pubs are not just surviving but redefining their role as enduring hubs of British life.
It’s not the only answer, but it’s an inspiring one.
If you’re involved in community pub ownership, have favourite community-owned pubs, or otherwise want to share experiences and challenges, I’d love to hear you in the comments.
References
Cabras, I., & Lau, C. K. (2019). The role of pubs in creating social capital and community cohesion in rural areas. Regional Studies, 53(2), 260-270.
Fyans, J. (2024, September 23). Why pubs are community hubs. Localis. https://www.localis.org.uk[](https://www.localis.org.uk/analysis/pubs-community-hubs/)
Plunkett Foundation. (2019, January 24). Community pubs are ‘stronger than ever’, according to new research. Morning Advertiser. https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk[](https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2019/01/23/Community-pubs-are-thriving-according-to-new-research/)
Renaisi. (2021, September 20). Evaluating the impact of community-owned pubs. https://renaisi.com[](https://renaisi.com/2021/09/20/evaluating-impact-community-owned-pubs/)
Sforzi, J., & Bianchi, M. (2020). Community-owned pubs in London: Creating social capital. International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure, 3(4), 321-340.
The Conversation. (2020, July 4). Coronavirus could accelerate dying pub culture – is community ownership the answer? https://theconversation.com[](https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-could-accelerate-dying-pub-culture-is-community-ownership-the-answer-136996)
UK Parliament. (2011). Localism Act, Chapter 20. Parliamentary Archives, Westminster.
Footnotes
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My latest book, Delivering Social Value in Urban Development, a collected series of essays, is published through Kindle Direct Publishing and available on most Amazon portals.
You may also like the article Talking to Strangers:
Talking to Strangers
I’ve learned a lot over the years from talking to strangers, and quite a bit of it standing at the bar in pubs.