A North Yorkshire village rallied together to save their beloved pub, turning a closure sign into a community triumph and a new beginning.
Spennithorne: A small village in North Yorkshire faced a big challenge. Their historic pub, The Old Horn Inn, was set to close. A sign on the door announced the sad news.
But the locals weren’t ready to give up. They loved their pub, a place where everyone gathered. So, they formed a group to save it. They learned about a planning application to turn the pub into homes. That’s when they sprang into action.
Leigh Carmichael, the group’s vice president, said they aimed to get the pub recognized as a community asset. They discovered the pub needed more than just a fresh coat of paint. It had some serious structural issues.
With determination, they sent out surveys to gather support from residents. The response was amazing! Many were willing to help. They created a prospectus to show their commitment.
However, the task was daunting. They estimated needing £360,000 to buy and renovate the pub. Thankfully, the Plunkett Foundation stepped in. They helped the group learn about a government scheme that could match their funds.
With the help of 140 investors, they raised the money. In March 2023, they got the green light to buy the pub. The excitement was palpable! They received the keys in June 2023.
After months of hard work, they finally reopened on May 21, 2024. The official opening followed on September 12. Leigh reflected on the journey, saying it was tough but rewarding.
They transformed the pub into a community hub. Even newcomers like Leigh found friendships through this project. Now, the pub is a cherished asset, recognized by CAMRA.
The Old Horn Inn was awarded the Pub Saving Award 2024. This award honors those who save pubs from closure. Paul Ainsworth, the award coordinator, praised their dedication. He hopes their story inspires others to save local pubs.
