The Rise of Community-Owned Pubs Amid Widespread Closures
Quietly a Countermovement has Emerged
I wrote an article, Community Owned Pubs, and posted it as a comment article to RSA Circles. The response from the Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) was inspirational. So many of the concepts we deal with can seem abstract and remote from our lives, but here were people who deeply cared about their communities and doing something positive to save their local pubs and give them a bright future.
Across Britain, pubs have long been the heartbeat of communities. These aren’t the words we’d use down the pub, but they serve as social hubs where locals gather to share stories, celebrate, and connect. We’d probably just describe it as having a great night.
The past few decades have seen a sharp decline in pub numbers, with over 39,000 pubs remaining in England and Wales by early 2024, down from a higher count just years prior. Pubs are affected by economic pressures like the cost-of-living crisis, rising taxes, and competition from cheaper supermarket alcohol, but also societal changes – there are so many more ways people can choose to spend their time.
Since 2000, around 13,000 pubs have closed. Rural areas have been hit hardest due to low footfall and high operational costs. But pubs have been closing in cities, towns and suburbs too. However, amidst this decline, a resilient counter-movement has emerged: community ownership.
Over 50 pubs are now community-owned, a model where locals collectively buy and run their local pub to prevent its closure. It is this fightback that I want to feature.
There is growing recognition of pubs as vital community assets, not just businesses. Community groups are leveraging schemes like Asset of Community Value (ACV) status and support from organizations like the Plunkett Foundation to secure funding and expertise. A way ahead is being established.
Community-owned pubs are more than drinking venues. They often double as shops, libraries, or event spaces, fostering social cohesion and local pride. To demonstrate this, I’ve shared the examples of the community-owned pubs supported or led by RSA Fellows. I hope you’ll support them, and maybe take inspiration from them for threatened pubs in your own community.
I’ve written the facts as best as I understand them. I hope you’ll see that behind each story is one of heart.
Black Horse, Hellifield, North Yorkshire
The Black Horse in Hellifield, North Yorkshire, faced closure in 2016 when its owners announced plans to sell it for redevelopment. The village, already lacking amenities, saw the pub as its last social hub. Locals formed the Hellifield Community Pub Society, raising £250,000 through community shares, local fundraising, and Plunkett Foundation grants to buy the pub in 2017. The campaign leaned on the pub’s ACV status, which gave the community a six-month window to match the sale price, galvanizing support.
The Black Horse operates as a cooperative, with a volunteer-led management committee overseeing operations. It generates income through traditional pub offerings—real ales, pub meals—and community events like quiz nights and seasonal festivals.
The pub is Hellifield’s social heart, hosting everything from book clubs to live music, and even a small shop for essentials. Its role extends to combating rural isolation, providing a space where locals of all ages connect, reinforcing community ties in a remote area.
Hurst Farm Social Club (Now The Farmer’s View), Derbyshire
The Hurst Farm Social Club (now The Farmer’s View) in Matlock, Derbyshire, faced closure threats in the early 2010s when its private owners struggled with declining trade. The community, recognizing the club as a vital social space for the Hurst Farm estate, rallied to save it. In 2015, residents formed a cooperative, raising funds through community shares and grants, including support from the Plunkett Foundation, to purchase the venue.
The acquisition was driven by a desire to preserve a space where generations had socialized, particularly for the estate’s working-class residents. With ACV status, the community secured legal protections, ensuring the pub’s future as a community asset.
The business model blends traditional pub operations with community-driven initiatives. The club operates as a cooperative, with shareholders from the local area having a say in major decisions. It generates revenue through bar sales, hosting events like quiz nights and live music, and renting space for community groups. The club’s role in the community is significant: it’s a hub for social activities, from youth clubs to pensioner gatherings, and supports local charities.
Its inclusive approach ensures it remains a lifeline for residents, fostering a sense of belonging in an area with limited amenities. It’s at the heart of the community.
The campaign is in full swing to save the Lamb Inn in Sandton and Keep it in the Community.
Once again, the charity Plunkett UK are supporting and advising on the community ownership bid. It’s vital that there is community engagement and the team leading the bid can demonstrate community support. The fundraising events and public meetings are central to this. It isn’t just the money being raised, it is the profile and sense of momentum too that matters.
Having formed a Community Benefit Society there is a firm foundation in place to raise capital and apply for grants.
We can “watch this space”. There is also a opportunity to get involved and help the community get this one over the line by joining the mailing list, joining the committee or making a donation. Get Involved – Keep the Lamb Inn.
Memorial Hall, Barrow Hill, Derbyshire
The Memorial Hall in Barrow Hill, Derbyshire, originally a community hall built in 1920 to honour local war heroes, evolved into a social hub with a bar, akin to a pub. Facing financial strain and potential sale in 2018, the Barrow Hill Community Association launched a campaign to save it.
With support from the Plunkett Foundation and crowdfunding, locals raised £150,000 to buy the hall, securing its ACV status to prevent future development threats. The purchase was driven by the hall’s historical significance and its role as the village’s only communal space.
The Memorial Hall operates as a community cooperative, with revenue from bar sales, event bookings, and grants. It offers affordable drinks, hosts live music, and provides space for private functions like weddings. The hall’s community role is central: it hosts everything from toddler groups to senior citizen lunches, preserving Barrow Hill’s heritage while serving as a social anchor.
Its cooperative model empowers residents to shape its future, ensuring it meets diverse needs in a village with few other facilities.
The Packhorse, Englefield Green, Surrey
The Packhorse in Englefield Green, Surrey, was threatened with closure in 2019 when its brewery owner planned to sell it for housing. The community, valuing its role as a historic gathering place, formed the Save the Packhorse campaign. With Plunkett Foundation advice and a successful share scheme raising over £300,000, locals purchased the pub in 2020, bolstered by its ACV designation. The campaign highlighted the pub’s 18th-century heritage and its importance to village identity.
Unusually, the Packhorse is run by the Royal Holloway Students' Union. Now there’s an ownership model to explore. It operates as a community-owned free house, and focuses on quality real ales, locally sourced food, and event hosting to drive revenue. A cooperative board ensures community input, balancing commercial viability with social goals. The pub serves as a vibrant community hub, offering live music, charity fundraisers, and family-friendly activities.
Its role in Englefield Green is pivotal, providing a rare social space in a village near urban sprawl, fostering connection and preserving local heritage.
The Royal Oak, Collingham, Nottinghamshire
The Royal Oak in Collingham, Nottinghamshire, faced closure in 2018 when its brewery owner decided to sell the property, citing declining profitability. The pub, a cornerstone of village life for over 200 years, prompted swift action from locals who formed the Collingham Community Pub Society.
With guidance from the Plunkett Foundation and leveraging the pub’s Asset of Community Value (ACV) status, the community raised £280,000 through a combination of community shares, crowdfunding, and grants. By 2019, the purchase was completed, ensuring the pub remained a vital social space rather than being converted into housing or other development.
The Royal Oak operates as a community cooperative, managed by a board of local shareholders who prioritize both financial sustainability and community engagement. Revenue comes from traditional pub activities, serving real ales, home-cooked meals, and hosting events like quiz nights and live music.
The pub plays a central role in Collingham, acting as a gathering place for diverse groups, from young families to retirees, and hosting community events like charity fundraisers and village fêtes. It also offers a small library corner, reinforcing its status as a multi-functional hub that combats social isolation and strengthens village cohesion.
The Waldegrave Arms in Somerset faced closure in 2019 when its brewery owner planned to sell it for redevelopment. The village of Chewton Mendip, with few remaining amenities, saw the pub as its social lifeline.
A community group, supported by the Plunkett Foundation, formed a cooperative and raised £260,000 through shares, local fundraising, and grants, securing the pub’s ACV status to complete the purchase by 2020. The campaign emphasized the pub’s historical significance and its role as the village’s primary gathering place.
Operating as a community cooperative, the Waldegrave Arms balances commercial viability with community needs, earning income through real ale sales, pub meals, and hosting events like quiz nights and weddings. Volunteers help manage operations, keeping costs down.
The pub is a vital hub for Chewton Mendip, offering everything from toddler groups to live music, and even a small shop for essentials. Its role in combating rural isolation is significant, providing a space for social interaction and preserving local heritage in a village with limited facilities.
The White Hart Community Inn, St Dogmaels, Llandudoch, Pembrokeshire
The White Hart in St Dogmaels, a 17th-century inn, faced closure in 2014 when its owners retired. The community, fearing the loss of their only pub, formed the St Dogmaels Community Pub Group. With Plunkett Foundation support and £200,000 raised through shares and grants, they bought the pub in 2015, securing its ACV status. The purchase was driven by the pub’s role as a cultural and social anchor in a rural Welsh village with limited amenities.
The White Hart operates as a cooperative, with revenue from bar sales, food (emphasizing local produce), and events like folk nights. Volunteers play a key role, keeping costs low. The pub is a community lifeline, hosting Welsh language classes, local history talks, and social events for all ages. It also doubles as a tourist information point, boosting the local economy.
Its cooperative model ensures it remains a vibrant hub, preserving St Dogmaels’ cultural identity.
Catford Constitutional, Lewisham
And now, the one that didn’t make it, so far. The Catford Constitutional in Lewisham, South London, faced an uncertain future in 2017 when its lease was sold, risking conversion to non-community use. The Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency (GCDA), a local cooperative support organization, stepped in to facilitate community ownership.
With the pub listed as an ACV, the GCDA helped form a community cooperative, raising £1 million through shares, crowdfunding, and grants, including Plunkett Foundation support. The purchase, completed in 2018, was driven by the pub’s role as a rare social space in an urban area with growing gentrification pressures.
The Catford Constitutional operated as a cooperative, blending traditional pub offerings with innovative community services. It generated revenue through craft beer sales, locally inspired food, and event spaces for hire, while hosting activities like art workshops and live music. The GCDA’s involvement ensured a focus on inclusivity, with the pub serving as a hub for diverse communities, offering affordable meals and spaces for local groups.
Its role in Lewisham was crucial, countering social fragmentation in a rapidly changing area by fostering connection through cultural and social events. At the time of writing the Catford Constitutional has sadly closed. Nothing is ever certain, sadly, but let’s hope it rises again. The local community is in better shape for having it.
The Role of the Plunkett Foundation
The Plunkett Foundation has been important to many of these success stories. The foundation often plays a pivotal role in the rise of community-owned pubs. It has emerged as a UK-wide support organization that empowers communities to save local assets like pubs.
It provides expert guidance on cooperative models, helping groups navigate legal structures, secure ACV status, and develop business plans.
The Foundation also facilitates access to funding, offering grants and advising on community share schemes, which have been critical for pubs like the Black Horse and Royal Oak. It’s More Than a Pub programme, launched in 2016, has supported over 100 community pub projects. It raised awareness through media partnerships, such as with BBC Countryfile, to highlight success stories like the Lamb in Sandford, another community-owned pub well worth your support.
More Than a Pub says it all really.
Beyond financial and logistical support, the Plunkett Foundation has created a network for knowledge-sharing, connecting community groups to learn from successful models like the George & Dragon in Hudswell.
It advocates for policy changes to protect community assets, emphasizing pubs’ roles in reducing isolation and boosting local economies. By offering tailored advice and resources, the Foundation ensures communities can sustain their pubs as inclusive, multi-functional hubs, countering the tide of closures with resilient, community-driven solutions.
The Role of CAMRA
I should also give a shout out to CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale who support community-ownership through:
Advocacy and Policy Influence: lobbying for policies that support community ownership, such as stronger planning protections and business rate reforms. It campaigned for pubs to be recognized as Assets of Community Value (ACV). CAMRA also advocates for business rate relief for pubs based on their community value, arguing that current rates disproportionately burden these venues compared to their turnover (CAMRA, 2020).
Practical Support and Resources: This includes a comprehensive toolkit for saving local pubs, available via its WhatPub database (CAMRA, 2024). This toolkit offers guidance on forming community groups, securing ACV status, and navigating funding options like community shares. CAMRA’s local branches support pub-saving initiatives by engaging with MPs and councils, collating beer scoring data to highlight quality venues, and organizing campaigns to raise awareness (CAMRA, 2021).
Recognition and Promotion: Through awards that raise pubs profiles and hopefully inspire others. The George & Dragon in Hudswell, North Yorkshire, the first community-owned pub to win CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year in 2016, exemplifies this recognition (CAMRA, 2018). CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, featuring 4,500 top pubs, often includes community-owned venues, emphasizing their role in serving quality real ale while acting as community anchors (CAMRA, 2024). Through its festivals, like the Great British Beer Festival, CAMRA also provides platforms for these pubs to gain visibility.
Collaboration and Broader Impact: CAMRA collaborates with organizations like the Plunkett Foundation, which provides specialized support for community pub ownership, as seen in their joint work on a 2025 documentary series highlighting community pubs (Plunkett Foundation, 2025).
They are working to try to ensure that pubs they remain vibrant hubs for social and cultural life amidst ongoing closures.
I hope there is enough here to inspire you to support community-owned pubs. All of these pubs are great places to spend time and if you can spend some money. And if a pub in your community is closing, I hope you feel better able to get involved in the countermovement.
References
Cabras, I., & Mount, M. (2017). How third places foster and shape community cohesion, economic development and social capital: The case of pubs in rural Ireland. Journal of Rural Studies, 55, 71-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2017.07.018
CAMRA. (2018). Community Pub Ownership. camra.org.uk
CAMRA. (2020). What we stand for. camra.org.uk
CAMRA. (2021). More about CAMRA campaigns. camra.org.uk
CAMRA. (2022). In response to the announcement from Lisa Nandy. X post.
CAMRA. (2023). Pub Closure Report for 2023. camra.org.uk
CAMRA. (2025). About the Campaign for Real Ale. camra.org.uk
Plunkett Foundation. (2024). More Than A Pub: Community-owned pubs. https://plunkett.co.uk/more-than-a-pub/
Sandiford, P. J., & Divers, P. (2020). The pub as a community asset: The role of community pubs in the 21st century. Journal of Place Management and Development, 13(3), 309-324. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMD-06-2019-0053
Acknowledgement
I’d like to thank the Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts who generously shared their experiences and made recommendations that are the basis of this article. They are inspirational, Simon Redding, Dr. Robert Jaggs-Fowler, Adam Hugh Warren, Richard Martin, Lee Bazalgette, Terry M Grundy, Adam Hardy, Simon Crutchley, Simon Akers, Philip Cunningham, Alec Robertson, Mike Phillips, Richard Tidswell, Clive Bonny and Rachel Auty.
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.