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June 12, 2025

Community secures further investment to complete rebuild of historic Grade II listed pub

support Featured, Lending, More Than a Pub, News

A much-loved but previously fire damaged village pub has received additional funding to enable completion of ambitious restoration plans.

A decade ago The George Community Pub in Wickham Market (situated in the River Deben Valley of Suffolk) was almost destroyed by fire kickstarting an inspiring journey of local volunteers coming together to save the historic Grade II listed building.

The pub had previously received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund together with funds secured from successful community share offers, Community Share Booster Programme, Co-operative & Community Finance, and other grant providers. However, due to issues relating to the condition of the building (which had deteriorated further since initial inspections), inflationary costs, challenging technical works and scheduling problems an extension to the project budget was required to enable completion of the rebuild and associated renovation.

Co-operative & Community Finance were delighted to provide an additional loan package via our ‘More Than a Pub’ programme along with extra funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, small grants, extra community shares and donations to progress the project. Tim Coomer, Business Development Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance said: “I’m sure this will be an overused idiom to describe the George, but this really is a Phoenix from the Ashes project. And one where the tenacity and stamina of all those involved cannot be understated. I have been blown away by the passion and determination of the society and the community of Wickham Market to bring their pub back. I wish them the greatest success and a very well-earned pint!”

Now open, the community pub has recruited a team of staff and along with a dedicated Community Engagement Officer plans are already in place to proactively engage with community groups setting up a programme of workshops, lectures and social activities in the upstairs activity room where 20 groups have already signed up to use the space.

Mike Cooper, Secretary & Finance Officer at The George Inn Community Pub said: “It has been a long and very rewarding project to bring back to life the last remaining pub in Wickham Market. We are so grateful to all our funders and, in particular, The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the core funding and Co-operative & Community Finance for stepping in with the last and vital loan package that has enabled us to complete the rebuild. Tim and his colleagues have been very helpful and encouraging with their support, which has allowed us to finally open The George – to the benefit of the local community. It is truly More than a pub.”

The legacy ‘More Than a Pub Fund’ scheme provides loan finance of between £75,000 to £150,000 available to Community Owned Pubs on a term ranging from five to twenty years. Co-operative & Community Finance also helps support groups to access grant funding to help them develop business plans and pay for surveys through the Reach Fund. Please contact Co-operative & Community Finance for the full terms and conditions, and to discuss how your Community Owned Pub venture can be supported.

You can find out more about The George Community Pub by visiting their website.

March 12, 2025

Maintenance works completed with new finance package secured for community pub

support Featured, Lending, More Than a Pub, News

A public house and restaurant in Wiltshire have completed essential property maintenance works after securing new loan and grant finance for their community venture.

The Winterbourne pub is located in the village of Winterbourne Bassett about six miles southwest of Swindon and has been owned as a community asset by its residents after a successful community share offer and investment from Co-operative & Community Finance via the ‘More Than a Pub’ programme in 2018.

As one of the only meeting places in the village apart from the church, it has proved popular with locals providing competitively priced menus, great barista coffee and a warm friendly welcome.

From left: WBCP Chair, Pat Salter; Ward Environmental Services Director, Mark Ward; WBCP Maintenance Lead, Phil McCaffrey; WBCP Treasurer, Damian Le Gresley

Over the course of the last four years the community pub’s society members and committee have made a range of improvements and refurbishments to the building and gardens with the installation of outdoor seating, new landscaping, an upgraded play area, an EV car charging point, upgraded toilet facilities, and replacement of exterior windows and doors.

Co-operative & Community Finance were delighted to provide a loan package following on from the ‘More Than a Pub’ legacy scheme to go towards the completion of a modern sewage treatment plant installation on the grounds of the pub after the existing septic tank had been flooding with groundwater.

The project was also part-funded by Wiltshire Council who provided a grant through the Rural Prosperity Funds scheme.

Tim Coomer, Business Development Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance said: “The Winterbourne has been a real success story, located in rural Wiltshire it acts as a vital community hub for people in the disparate and isolated villages and hamlets in the area; as well as drawing in visitors from further afield, such is their reputation for good quality food. The works to install a treatment plant is expenditure the group could have well done without, but its where community pubs are different from the traditional Pub Companies, as they are willing to invest for the long term. We are really pleased to have been able to help them futureproof the site.”

The management committee for the community pub comprises of five local residents. Damian Le Gresley, Treasurer for Winterbourne Bassett Community Pub Limited said: “This is the largest project we have had to take on since purchasing the pub in 2018 and we are extremely grateful for the support from Co-operative & Community Finance and Wiltshire Council for helping us to finance it. Due to the deteriorating condition of the old septic tank this project was urgent, and it is great to see the works complete to resolve the problem for good. We would also like to thank Ward Environmental Services for successfully completing the project for us and minimising the impact to our community pub’s operation.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural Prosperity Funds are part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, providing £2.6bn of funding for local investment across the UK from 2022 until March 2025. Wiltshire has been allocated £5.7m from UKSPF and a further £2.5m through the Rural Prosperity Funds.

You can find out more about the Winterbourne Bassett Community Pub Limited by visiting their website.

February 25, 2025

Beloved community asset thrives as pub secures new investment

support Featured, Lending, More Than a Pub, News

A popular nineteenth-century village pub has received a new funding package enabling refinancing and securing its role as a vital community asset.

The Helions Bumpstead Community Benefit Society was set up in 2014 with a view to take community ownership of their local pub the ‘Three Horseshoes’ (located in northwest Essex) after it was registered as an Asset of Community Value by the local Parish Council. In 2019 the society raised funds to purchase the historic pub – a building dating back as far as the 1870’s – with an impressive community share fund worth £287K and investment from Co-operative & Community Finance via the ‘More Than a Pub’ programme.

Since purchasing the pub and having to deal with covid related setbacks, the society have diligently carried out a vast range of improvements and refurbishments to the building. These included a new kitchen, central heating, new furniture and flooring, an outdoor eating area and beer garden, along with a separate meeting place and community hub that has proved popular with local community interest groups.

Local residents and shareholders have praised the society’s work and have commented on how the pub has brought a real sense of community to the village. In 2023 a second community share offer was completed raising £14K to be used to improve the outdoor areas of the pub and complete further maintenance work. Co-operative & Community Finance were also pleased to provide a loan package for refinance following on from the ‘More Than a Pub’ legacy scheme. Kevin Lloyd-Evans, Lending and Relationship Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance said: “We are thrilled to support the continued success of this cherished community pub. By providing this loan, we’re not just backing a business – we’re investing in a hub that fosters connection and community spirit. We look forward to seeing them thrive for many years to come.”

The society currently has around 177 members with a board of 9 committee members all bringing a wide range of experience and skills with them. Richard Russell, Chair of Helions Bumpstead Community Benefit Society said: “Co-operative and Community Finance have been at our side throughout our journey, from the community purchase in 2019 and throughout the years of the pandemic. So, we were delighted to arrange our refinancing with them, now that the Three Horseshoes is in the safe hands of our tenants. Their understanding of local communities sets them apart from corporate lenders and the relationship is one of de facto friendship.”

You can find out more about the Helions Bumpstead Community Benefit Society by visiting their website.

December 3, 2024

Funds secured for sustainable living housing co-op in rural North Wales

support Featured, Financing Co-operative Housing, Lending, News

A housing co-op and its residents have obtained a refinance and property improvements loan package for their remote co-operative living space set in the beautiful Powys countryside.

Established in 1985, Undergrowth Housing Co-operative Limited (UHC) was set up by local residents wanting to turn an unused property into shared co-operative housing focused on sustainable rural living. With the main part of the building dating back to 1860, the property and its seven acres of land are largely isolated within remote countryside approximately 7 miles from the small historic market town of Machynlleth, North Wales.

The building (although structurally sound with foundations built into the sturdy bedrock of the hill it is situated on), has undergone various renovations over the decades as well as solar and hydro power installation; but obtaining loans from Co-operative & Community Finance and Co-op Loan Fund has meant the housing co-op can use the incoming funds for refinance and further property improvements in 2024.

Owen Shiers outside Undergrowth Housing Co-op property

The property which is made up of two buildings (the main house and an annexe which is used as a living space) has seven rooms available with six residents currently residing in the house. As passionate advocates of co-operative housing, the residents and board members of UHC also have keen interests in sustainability and environmental issues, with most having some form of connection to sustainability through employment or previous living arrangements. Owen Shiers, Secretary of UHC said: “In a market where it’s becoming harder for co-ops to either get a mortgage or refinance, Co-operative and Community Finance and Co-op Loan Fund have really come to the rescue. We have been able to access funds which allow us to carry out vital structural work to secure one of our barns as well as other infrastructure improvements. Without this support we would have had very few places to turn to and fewer living spaces to offer our residents. Co-operative and Community Finance and Co-op Loan Fund were a delight to work with and we all felt like they understood our needs and were ready to champion our cause.”

Kevin Lloyd-Evans, Lending and Relationship Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance and Co-op Loan Fund said: “We are proud to support the vision and values of this housing co-operative with our loan package. By enabling sustainable, community-led housing solutions, we’re not just financing a project; we’re investing in the power of collaboration and a brighter, fairer future for all.”

Kevin Lloyd-Evans outside Undergrowth Housing Co-op property

June 10, 2024

New investment secured for local pub with community purpose

support Featured, Financing Community Ownership, More Than a Pub, News

A 200-year-old village pub has secured a new funding package enabling it to thrive for the benefit of its community and surrounding local area.

The Blue Bell pub situated in Stoke Ferry, Norfolk has been serving residents since 1795 and as a community owned pub since 2021. Locals obtained the pub as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ and established a Community Benefit Society (Stoke Ferry Community Enterprise Limited) as a transparent way to deliver the project alongside their community. Fundraising for the purchase involved a successful community share offer, grants and loans with the pub receiving specialist advice and finance from the More Than a Pub programme.

Prior to and since opening, Stoke Ferry Community Enterprise have invested in repairs and maintenance for the pub including brand new electrics, underfloor heating and new heating system, new bar installation, improved accessibility, a new kitchen as well as improvements to the outside of the pub with children’s area, wooden roofed pods and metal pergola.

A small event and private dining area called The Lock Room (after the Lock family that had their name over the door of the Blue Bell for over a century) has also been created which serves as dining room and café seating up to 14 people available for hire free of charge for community benefit events. A range of catering options from light refreshments, buffets, set menus and a la carte dining are also provided.

The society currently has 450 members and the proudly community owned and run pub has full time staff working alongside a group of around 10 local volunteers helping out in the pub, kitchen and bar. With a good understanding of the local market and a mission that puts the community at the heart of what they do, The Blue Bell has proved popular with locals and residents within the surrounding area.

Alan Lury (Secretary to Stoke Ferry Community Enterprise Limited) said: “The loan from Co-operative & Community Finance has enabled us to consolidate most of our existing loans, including a short-term one, into a more manageable situation and to pay off some outstanding items so that we can concentrate more fully on the busy day-to-day running of the Blue Bell. Our thanks go to our CCF representative Kevin who was straightforward, down-to-earth and most importantly encouraging throughout.”

Co-operative & Community Finance were delighted to help Stoke Ferry Community Enterprise secure a loan package for refinancing and working capital following on from the ‘More Than a Pub’ legacy scheme. Kevin Lloyd-Evans, Lending and Relationship Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance said: “Working with Alan and Stephen at Stoke Ferry Community Enterprise was a pleasure. I was really impressed with how they dealt with delays and kept moving forward with the refinancing package. Co-operative & Community Finance’s funding works really well by helping build long-term financial viability with affordable monthly repayments. An excellent basis to move forward.”

The legacy ‘More Than a Pub Fund’ scheme provides loan finance of between £75,000 to £150,000 available to Community Owned Pubs at a discounted rate of interest for members of Plunkett UK, length of term ranges from five to twenty years. Co-operative & Community Finance also helps support groups to access grant funding to help them develop business plans and pay for surveys through the Reach Fund. Please contact Co-operative & Community Finance for the full terms and conditions, and to discuss how your Community Owned Pub venture can be supported.

You can find out more about The Blue Bell pub by visiting their website.

March 12, 2024

Students and investor-supporters come together to secure sustainable and affordable student housing in Birmingham

support Featured, Financing Co-operative Housing, Lending

A multi-stakeholder co-operative has secured a financial package enabling the purchase of a property that will provide affordable tenancies and access to democratically owned accommodation for students in the Birmingham area.

Founded in March 2018, Student Co-operative Homes (SCH) aims to bring together existing and start up student housing co-operatives across the UK and build a portfolio of properties for lease to local self-managing student housing co-ops.

The board is made up of individuals nominated by ‘user members’ – frequently current student residents – along with ‘investor supporter’ members, these are generally individuals with years of experience and expertise in the co-operative sector or established Co-operatives such the Heart of England and Midcounties Retail Co-operatives who bring their experience and capital in support of Student Housing Co-operatives.

Securing loans from both Co-operative & Community Finance and Co-op Loan Fund has enabled Student Co-operative Homes to purchase the property currently resided in by the Birmingham Student Housing Co-operative set up in 2014. The acquisition has helped lay the future roadmap for the property and the local co-operative, enabling a collective long-term vision with renovations, retrofit and a green agenda alongside the existing positive impact for students’ wellbeing of security in the property, affordable rents, democratic control and a purposeful student community.

Consisting of nine bedrooms, the detached two-storey house is located close by to the University of Birmingham (just outside the main student population area of Selly Oak) with excellent transport links to the city centre. Living in the housing co-operative while studying enables tenants to come together, pool resources and collaborate for mutual benefit with the view to passing on the accommodation to other students once they leave. Fostering a sense of autonomy among the students also gives time and opportunity to develop their skills and build local connections in the wider community.

Scott Jennings, Chair of Student Co-op Homes said, “We are massively grateful to both lenders for stepping in and supporting this acquisition at such an important time. This enables us as Multi-Stakeholder Co-op and the local Student Housing Co-operative to step forward together and to enact our plans for the future of the property that are essential to enable affordable student housing into the future that addresses and challenges a fundamentally broken student housing market.”

As a multi-stakeholder co-operative with members (with and without property) in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, Manchester, Belfast and Bristol and in Cork (Republic of Ireland); the co-operative is keen to see the development of more student housing co-ops across the UK and beyond, acting as a platform for promoting co-operative values and development particularly amongst young people.

Kevin Lloyd-Evans, Lending and Relationship Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance said: “We are delighted to be able to support Student Co-operative Homes Limited purchase this property. Student Housing Co-operatives are an excellent initiative which can help build the co-operative sector of the future. They are attracting a new generation of co-operative members which is good to see.”

For more information about Student Co-operative Homes, you can visit their website.

December 11, 2023

Community sports and social club secures investment for refinance and growth

support Featured, Financing Community Ownership, News

Members have received a huge boost by securing a financial package that enables ambitious and enterprising plans to renovate, develop and grow their sports and social club for the benefit of the local community.

Oak House Sports & Social Club Beer Garden

Based in the heart of the picturesque Victorian spa town of Leamington Spa, Oak House Sports and Social Club has a long proud history of serving its community with origins dating back as far as the mid 1880’s. Originally founded as a social club by the local council, ‘The Liberal Club’ as it was then known eventually moved from the Town Hall to its current location in Upper Holly Walk between 1937 and 1945. The impressive Grade II listed building built by the locally renowned architect William Thomas eventually changed its name to ‘Oak House Sports and Social Club’ registering as a Co-operative & Community Benefit Society in 2015.

Securing loans from both Co-operative & Community Finance and Co-op Loan Fund has meant the club’s committee can refinance existing loans as well as put in place their ambitious plans for development and growth in the club, with a view to broadening its membership and providing more services and facilities for the local community.

Plans include renovation and building improvements for new kitchen facilities, development of the club’s large beer garden, as well as general improvement of amenities that will enable increased use of the existing function room for events and room hire including weddings, parties and children’s activities. Along with these facilities and the club’s main lounge bar and two games rooms (including darts, snooker and TV screens), the club hope to generate both new rental and bar income.

Oak House Sports & Social Club Snooker Room

David Jenkins, Treasurer and representative of the Oak House Committee said: “The committee and membership of the Oak House warmly welcome the support from Co-operative and Community Finance and Co-op Loan Fund. The future looks bright thanks to the subsequent restructuring of our finances. We now have headroom and the confidence to push forward with our growth.”

The committee also intend to engage a local marketing and advertising company to promote the club and its services to new audiences and ensure more engagement from the local community and wider Leamington Spa area. Oak House are also keen to develop new services such as hotdesking, internet access and increased food and drink sales.

Kevin Lloyd-Evans, Lending and Relationship Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance said: “We were delighted to support Oak House. The committee is determined to create a success with the club. There is a clear vision and plan in place. Getting the finance in place was the first part of the jigsaw.”

For more information about Oak House Sports and Social Club you can visit their website.

Oak House Sports & Social Club Exterior — Oak House Sports & Social Club

November 13, 2023

EDI Action Plan 2023 – 2024

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As we continue on our EDI journey, today we share our Action Plan for 2023-2024. Produced by our Board and Staff team, this Plan includes specific commitments and objectives to help us move with purpose towards real, measurable, change. Explore it here.

OUR PLEDGE: To continue working together to ensure that the sector reflects the communities it serves and that we use our tools, networks and experience to tackle inequality and bring about transformational change.

OUR COMMITMENTS:

Take ownership of our commitment to equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Build accountability through meaningful collaborations & co-production with networks and Marginalised communities.
Move beyond representation to work towards an inclusive culture.
Accept the longevity and risk involved in meaningful pursuit of diversity and inclusion through open and transparent sharing.
Act with integrity through the investment of time, energy, and resources in equitable representation
Engage in intentional systems change and sustainable inclusion.
Advocate for diversity and inclusion & amplify marginalised voices.

OUR APPROACH – We aim to ensure:

Equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in our systems, culture, and processes.
Every individual within CCF contributes to the ongoing implementation of the EDI action plan.
We look for opportunities in how we work and who we lend to, to address the structural causes of inequality.
We work in an open and transparent manner within the sector we serve.
We foster a culture of respect, curiosity, diversity, and equality in order to provide an environment that encourages discussion and challenge.
We promote, recognise, and enable best practices within our organisation and the broader sector through education, networks, and resources.
We adopt a learning-as-we-go approach, learning about what works and what doesn’t, internally and externally, while building our expertise.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) & Equality Impact Action Plan

Commitment 1: Take ownership of our commitment to equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Objectives	How will we achieve this? / What will be delivered?	Measurable Outcomes
Sign and Share the Diversity Forum Manifesto to show our commitment to achieving a sustainable systemic change towards a more inclusive social sector.	Sign up to the Diversity Forum	We signed up in Mar-22
	Acknowledging the need for inclusion and our commitment to change internally and externally.	Regular updates on progress against commitments and holding ourselves accountable.
	Share Online on our Website	EDI Page has been created

Commitment 2: Build accountability through meaningful collaborations & co-production with networks and Marginalised communities.

Objectives	How will we achieve this? / What will be delivered?	Measurable Outcomes
Establish an EDI Sub-committee, which includes CCF Trustees. EDI action plans, priorities and strategy will be overseen by CCF Board.	EDI Sub-committee, made up of 2 Staff Members and 2 Board Members, has been established with Governance from the Full Board.	Quarterly review of Progress at Board Level.
	Encourage discussions and dialogue about EDI as part of Board & Staff meetings.	Subcommittee has been created. EDI is now a standing item at Board & Staff Agenda Meetings.
Establish and maintain partnerships with diverse professional organisations to help develop and maintain a pipeline of diverse clients.	Identify relevant EDI & Networking events to attend and assess colleagues’ interest to join.	Regular attendance to the Diversity Forum Meetings. Actively seek out learning and insight from others, particularly co-signatories, around the challenges they are facing and how they are addressing them.
	Engage with friends and partners to share our EDI values, commitments, and expectations, and promote a collaborative working relationship to challenge and support each other on our EDI journeys.

Commitment 3: Move beyond representation to work towards an inclusive culture.

Objectives	How will we achieve this? / What will be delivered?	Measurable Outcomes
Create a fully embedded culture of inclusion throughout our business	Review and communicate CCF diversity annually.	Assessed through Staff & Board Annual survey.
	Tailor and target recruitment based on data drawn out from diversity survey where and when applicable
	Ensure Staff & Board understands that EDI, especially role-modelling a safe, inclusive, fair, equal workplace is everyone’s responsibility (not just the Subgroup)
	Monitor and encourage staff & Trustees (and ICOF Members) self-disclosure and self-identification avoiding assumptions about people’s lived experience and privilege.	Assessed through Investee Members Annual survey.
	Review internal Member communications about the purpose of diversity data collection.	Assessed through Investee Members Annual survey.
	Embed the principles of EDI into our wider engagement activities.	Plan and deliver an EDI session with Stakeholders.

Commitment 4: Accept the longevity and risk involved in meaningful pursuit of diversity and inclusion through open and transparent sharing.

Objectives	How will we achieve this? / What will be delivered?	Measurable Outcomes
Establish EDI Training for the Staff Team & Board (mandatory and voluntary).	Provide training covering microaggressions, unconscious bias, allyship, power and privilege.	Use training tools and feedbacks to inform priorities, practices or changes.
	Implement training into induction programme for all new Trustees & Staff.
	Analyse impact of training via feedback.
Oversight of EDI action plan in practice	Put the governance and accountability process in place to achieving the aspirations in EDI action plan.	Adopt and publish new EDI action plan (2023-25)
	Ensure EDI commitments “are woven” into CCF existing procedures and policies.

Commitment 5: Act with integrity through the investment of time, energy, and resources in equitable representation

Objectives	How will we achieve this? / What will be delivered?	Measurable Outcomes
Improve our equality, diversity, and inclusion practice as an organisation	Audit & Review our existing policies to ensure these are fair and inclusive.	Improved Policies
	Identify which additional policies will support the development of an inclusive culture.
Review and embed an inclusive recruitment process (this commitment relates to all CCF positions, From Support Staff to Board members)	Revise recruitment strategy & plan.	More diverse and fairer recruitment outcomes
	Implement blind CV shortlisting.
	Include a diverse panel as part of recruitment processes.
	Making sure all interviewers have completed their compulsory training.

Commitment 6: Engage in intentional systems change and sustainable inclusion.

Objectives	How will we achieve this? / What will be delivered?	Measurable Outcomes
Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion is about redistributing power, finances and resources. Acknowledging systemic inequality, our intention to change this and commit to annual reporting.	Collect and publish annual gender pay gap and diversity data on the make-up of Boards and Staff within CCF.	Annual EDI & Equality Impact Report. Report to include analysis of monitoring data, initiatives undertaken and assessment of their impact/success.
	Collect and publish annual gender pay gap and diversity data on the make-up of Boards and Staff within our investment portfolios. Include a clear statement of why this data is being collected and how it will be used.
	Explore opportunities in our role as a Lender for promoting broader Equality Impact	Subgroup to write a Blog (as a first step) focused on CCF potential in the Equality Sphere

Commitment 7: Advocate for diversity and inclusion & amplify marginalised voices.

Objectives	How will we achieve this? / What will be delivered?	Measurable Outcomes
Integrate EDI & Equality Impact considerations into our investment strategy and reflect these principles in our approach to impact.	Where applicable and meaningful, incorporate EDI (goals, risks, KPIs)	Year on year continue to improve levels of applications received from underrepresented groups and increase impact on Inequality.
	Ensure complete integration into the investment process, including the investment manual, due diligence, and guidelines on how to use this information to make better investment decisions.

November 1, 2023

Community Land Trust secures investment for people powered land ownership initiative

support Featured, Financing Community Ownership, Lending, News

A land trust rooted in activism with a bold mission statement to acquire and steward property on behalf of the local community has secured vital funding for their latest property procurement.

Stokes Croft Land Trust (SCLT) is a grassroots institution governed and run by local people for the long-term acquisition and stewarding of community assets in the Stokes Croft area of Bristol. Their goals are to promote engagement of local people with the future development of their area, support local economic activity and provide workspace for local artists, designers and small businesses which align with their charitable objectives.

Co-operative & Community Finance were delighted to work alongside The Co-operative Community Shares Fund to help SCLT secure both a loan and community shares enabling the purchase of two freehold titles which together make up one building in the heart of Stokes Croft’s cultural quarter. The acquisition will bring the property into community ownership and secure the home of Community Interest Company the Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC). By purchasing this first building, SCLT is fighting back against gentrification of the area whilst also providing a home for the arts and wider community development initiatives. PRSC also supports rough sleepers in the area, collecting donations and providing a clean blanket and tent store, workshops and outside facilities such as water and electric points accessible 24 hours a day.

Tim Coomer, Business Development Manager Co-operative & Community Finance said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have supported SCLT to purchase PRSC HQ. The building is a vital asset for Stokes Croft, a vibrant, diverse and culturally significant community in our home town of Bristol.”

As a HQ for PRSC, the property (covering around 6,000 square feet in total) includes a central performance space which incorporates a kitchen and bar which is rented for a variety of community gatherings, exhibitions, workshops and events. The building also includes a workshop screen printing studio, a digital radio studio which can be rented on a sessional basis, artist studio spaces and facilities for decorating and firing the famous Stokes Croft China which is sold by PRSC in an adjacent shop.

Hilary Sudbury, Director of SCLT said: “Our community share offer culminated in close to 400 local people and organisations becoming members of SCLT, through the purchase of shares, to enable SCLT to purchase its first building into community ownership. We are grateful to Co-operative and Community Finance for their loan and equity investment as part of the finance mix and SCLT were pleased to announce the completion of the freehold purchase of the building, known locally as PRSC HQ, at the end of Sept 2023.”

You can keep up to date with Stokes Croft Land Trust by visiting their website.

June 29, 2023

500-year-old inn secures new investment for community

support Featured, Financing Community Ownership, Lending, More Than a Pub, News

A 500-year-old Inn saved by its residents in 2018 has secured a new funding package enabling the community pub to thrive as it enters a new chapter under new management.

Located in the heart of Ash near Sandwich in Kent, the Chequer Inn is a country pub that has been serving drinks and its community since 1674 welcoming locals, walkers and even four legged friends. The pub received specialist advice and finance from the More Than a Pub programme in 2018 and along with a successful share offer coming in from all around the world – from Alaska to Australia, via North Carolina, Scotland and Yorkshire – the pub was saved by residents and stopped from being developed into housing.

Re-opening in May 2019, the pub encountered some difficult times as the country was plunged into the Covid pandemic and lockdown resulting in the closure of the pub in January 2022. The community and the pub’s society has since rallied together and installed a new tenant responsible for the day-to-day management of the pub. Local businessman Nick Turner-Brown (who manages a number of other successful pubs in the region) has made much needed positive changes including a new and improved food menu as well as service quality the pub can be proud of ensuring long-term growth and a sustainable future for the pub and its residents.

Jane Greaves, Secretary for the Chequer Inn Ash Society said: “This refinancing by Co-operative & Community Finance of the Chequer Inn, Ash, enables us to enter a new phase of community ownership with confidence. We have been impressed by the support we have received from Kevin Lloyd-Evans but above all his genuine interest in the community, the property and our plans for the future of the Chequers. We would urge other communities keen to save their ‘local’ to seek assistance from the Plunkett Foundation.”

Co-operative & Community Finance were pleased to help secure funding for the Chequer Inn as a second loan following on from their ‘More Than a Pub’ legacy scheme in 2019. Kevin Lloyd-Evans, Lending and Relationship Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance said: “We are delighted to be able to support The Chequer Inn Ash Community Pub. We are helping clients with their debt structures to ensure affordability and long-term sustainability. The current challenges within the hospitality sector are well documented. We are supporting the development of the community shares market by listening, consulting and responding to needs. Community ownership and control are at the heart of our mission, values and plans moving forward.”

The legacy ‘More Than a Pub Fund’ scheme provides loan finance of between £75,000 to £150,000 available to Community Owned Pubs at a discounted rate of interest for members of the Plunkett Foundation, length of term ranges from five to twenty years. Co-operative & Community Finance also helps support groups to access grant funding to help them develop business plans and pay for surveys through the Reach Fund. Please contact Co-operative & Community Finance for the full terms and conditions, and to discuss how your Community Owned Pub venture can be supported.

You can find out more about The Chequer Inn pub by visiting their website.

The Chequer Inn Ash Society story can be viewed on www.savethechequerinn.co.uk while the society await a new web site going forward.