The Fox pub in Ryton is about to undergo a re-furbishment after it has been purchased by the community. They gathered today to celebrate and talk about future plans.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Welcome to the Fox of Wrighton!
00:04We're here at the Fox Inn in Wrighton and it's a community pub and it's been saved by the community, that's right isn't it sir?
00:13That's correct, that's correct.
00:14So you are David...
00:16I'm David Oliver, I'm chairman of the group.
00:18For the last two years we've been fighting, building up the support to make sure that we can get the money from the Community Ownership Fund
00:27and shares from the community to make this not just a pub but a community hub with a pub, cafe, pop-up shop, parcel collection point,
00:38something where the whole community can get together but not just the locals from Wrighton, the surrounding villages,
00:44the 100 plus wholly let's that are around here, the cycling groups, the walkers, the horse riders,
00:50there are so many people that are interested in what we're doing to combat rural isolation.
00:57And how long has this pub been here?
00:59Well in the 1760s it was originally built, it closed for two years.
01:04So just sitting empty for two years?
01:06Yes.
01:07Wow, so did you ever think, you know, when you started the campaign, was it, this is 50-50 as to whether we're going to, you know,
01:14or were you confident from the start?
01:17I was confident if we got the community support we could make it happen.
01:21Yeah.
01:22With any government fund it's a bit of a lottery as to whether your face fits the bill sort of thing.
01:28Yeah.
01:29But the way that this community has come together, I think it's the breadth of support that's made them think this is realistic.
01:36Yeah.
01:37And having a team together with a realistic business plan, with ideas that are making it more than a pub, that have made us successful.
01:44And some of the money's come from a government fund I believe?
01:48Yeah, it's called the Community Ownership Fund which has been running for four years.
01:52We're in the last tranche to get the money and we've got a quarter of a million pounds capital which has enabled us to buy the pub
01:58and we've got £49,300 revenue to help us in the first year to help with the running costs.
02:04Okay.
02:05So is that fund kind of getting wrapped up now then?
02:08It's totally wrapped up now.
02:09I see, yeah, wow.
02:11And we thought we were there last summer and then a certain gentleman called a general election and then all the funds were frozen.
02:20We thought we'd lost out then but I got this message in December which was highly secret to say you're in the last tranche,
02:28you're going to get the money on December the 23rd.
02:31So you must be one of the last communities to buy a pub in that fashion then?
02:35We are and there was a feature on BBC TV last week from one of the unsuccessful pubs which you feel very, very sorry for.
02:43Yeah, yeah.
02:44But it's a tremendous scheme. It's wonderful that these areas are being supported.
02:50We wouldn't have done it without that but the share offer's still going.
02:55We're well on the way towards our target.
02:58We just need a few more thousand pounds so we can make it perfect to make this the wonderful establishment it once was but even better.
03:07So how many people have invested and bought shares up to this point?
03:10We've got about 160, 170 people individually ranging from £250 for one share.
03:17Some people have bought many more but it's a democratic system.
03:21However much you've put in you get one vote.
03:24So everybody is equally valued and involved.
03:28And how many people live in the immediate community to the public?
03:32It's difficult to describe the immediate community.
03:34About 160, 180 in the surrounding houses but there are loads of villages all around
03:41with people who relied on somewhere like this they could come to without travelling onto the A49
03:48to come and get involved in the local community.
03:52We've also got over 160 holiday let beds in the area as well so in the summer there'll be a lot more people getting involved.
03:59Yeah, yeah, cool.
04:00Well fantastic effort to all involved and you know one of our lovely old historic British pubs has been saved thanks to you and the team.
04:08So well done sir.
04:09And well done to everyone in the community for making this happen.
04:12It is absolutely fantastic.
04:13Cheers, a well-deserved cheers.
04:15So we're here with three shareholders in the pub.
04:18What made you, you know, get your purse out, get your wallet out and invest?
04:23Why is it so important to you?
04:25We live 100 yards away.
04:27Ah, cool.
04:28That's a nice stumbling distance isn't it?
04:30We only bought the house because the pub was here.
04:33You know what, some people, that is a major factor isn't it in buying the house?
04:37Yeah, it's not far to stag a home.
04:39It's vital for this village.
04:41You don't have a shop and you don't have a church that functions much.
04:47And it's hoping to be open for Christmas I believe.
04:50Yeah, yeah.
04:51So that's going to be some New Year's Eve party isn't it?
04:53It's going to be wonderful.
04:55Christmas party, very nice.
04:56We're so pleased to be part of it.
04:57Apparently there are 12 bookings for Christmas dinner already.
04:59Really? Wow, that's good going.
05:02It would be lovely to, you know, come round here to a shop when we run out of milk.
05:08Yeah, because you know, it's a 5 minute walk.
05:11So did you know the pub as in its previous guys then?
05:15When it was open previously?
05:16Yes.
05:17And was it...
05:18No, we don't need to ask that question.
05:20Let's just say you understood why it didn't work before.
05:25We have a lot of history, we know a lot of that history.
05:29Yeah, yeah.
05:30So, what's going to be the tip all then?
05:33Go on, what's going to be, you're hoping they'll be serving on the bar?
05:36Well, I'm hoping...
05:38G&T
05:39G&T for you.
05:40They will serve Hobson's Snuffly Hedge Cog.
05:45Snuffly Hedge Cog.
05:46Okay, I've not heard of that one.
05:48Wonderful.
05:49Yeah, yeah.
05:50And the Bridges, what's the, I don't know.
05:53Three Tons.
05:54Three Tons.
05:55Three Tons, yeah.
05:56It's a good, yeah, popular, popular.
05:57It's a good shop to be at.
05:58Yeah, yeah.
05:59Yeah, it'd be nice to have some shops here.
06:00Good shops.
06:01Yeah, yeah, great stuff.
06:02And cider.
06:03Exactly.
06:04Yeah.
06:05I think it's very, very important that we have that too.
06:06Yeah.
06:07Absolutely.
06:08Yeah, cool.
06:09Yes, support local businesses.
06:10Well, enjoy yourselves guys when it's back open and well done to you.
06:13So, Helen, we're inside the pub now and how's it, what's it going to look like when it's
06:17all done then?
06:18There's a bit of work to take place still.
06:19There's a bit of work.
06:20It's a pub which has been here for nearly 400 years.
06:23It's well loved by the community, but just needs a bit of love and love and care and
06:27redecoration and renovation.
06:28So, there's some essential things that we'll do, but ultimately we want to make this the
06:32perfect country pub that everybody wants to bring back as the hub in the community.
06:36Cool.
06:37And will it be kind of mainly drink or, you know, food as well?
06:40It'll be absolutely a place where the locals can come and have a drink.
06:44Passing cyclists, we will have a really good standard food offering as well.
06:48And then we'll also have a community cafe where we'll have, which will be volunteer
06:52led.
06:53So, a couple of mornings, afternoons a week where people can come, like their cycling
06:57pass and stop and have a cup of coffee and a piece of cake.
07:00Cool.
07:01And this section here, is this our lounge area then?
07:03This is the bar area.
07:04Yeah.
07:05And the space is very flexible.
07:07There is a formal restaurant next door.
07:09We're still to decide how we're going to use the space most effectively and we'll
07:12be consulting with the community to understand their wishes.
07:15Take us through next door, then we'll follow you.
07:18We've got a lovely bay window.
07:20Yeah, it is nice, isn't it?
07:22Especially on a glorious day.
07:24So, it's just beautiful.
07:26So, this bar is obviously where the regulars like to come and stand and have a pint.
07:30And then if you come through here, this has traditionally been a restaurant.
07:37We would do food both sides.
07:39There's a pool table which we'll be going, because there's not really room for it.
07:43And we will be revamping it all and make it a really welcoming and vibrant place for everybody.
07:48Cool.
07:49Got a nice little bar section here.
07:51Nice bit of character there.
07:54And another nice big, lovely big window there, actually.
08:07Cool, so this is our...
08:08All of this is kitchen area for different parts of the preparation.
08:12And this has obviously been added on over time and isn't practical at all.
08:16And we will be completely taking down all the walls, opening it up,
08:20and organising a new kitchen to come in and living in.
08:23We'll make a fantastic sized kitchen, because the footprint is all there.
08:25It's just not very useful at the minute.
08:27So, who's going to run it?
08:29Well, we want to attract some people to run it.
08:33So, we will absolutely need a general manager and a chef.
08:36And one of the most important things is they've got to be able to do a good food offering,
08:40but they've got to be community-minded.
08:42So, they've got to embrace the fact it's a community hub.
08:45They will have a volunteer community cafe.
08:47And that they will be absolutely front and centre in the community.
08:50So, we've got to find the right people.
08:52Hello, gents. How are you?
08:53We're good, thank you.
08:54So, who have we got there? Introduce yourselves.
08:56Donny Cots.
08:57Tommy.
08:58John Davis.
08:59So, you lads drank in here previously, yeah?
09:03Since I was 18.
09:04Since you were 18?
09:05Two years.
09:0620 years.
09:07Yeah.
09:08Longer than that.
09:09This pool table that's covered up, your daughter learned to play pool, didn't she?
09:12Yeah.
09:13So, how's it feeling to know that you're keeping your local pub?
09:16How important is it for the community?
09:18Very important for the village, I think.
09:20Absolutely.
09:21Yeah.
09:22You're losing pubs all the time.
09:25It's great to be a part of it.
09:27Meeting up every week and having those conversations,
09:30just to get rid of the stress of the working week.
09:33That's it.
09:34It's so important as that place just to meet, you know what I mean?
09:37Just to catch up with neighbours and it just forms a massive part of the community.
09:41So, when are you going to be open to being here drinking then?
09:45What's the plan?
09:46Is there any dates being banded?
09:47By November.
09:48Yeah.
09:49Are you ready for Christmas?
09:50Christmas Eve.
09:51Yeah, good stuff.
09:52As usual.
09:53There'll be a good Christmas party going in here, won't there?
09:55Great stuff.
09:56Well, all the best, gents, and welcome to the community.
09:58So, who have we got, madam?
09:59What's your name?
10:00Francis.
10:01And?
10:02Chris.
10:03Chris Naylor.
10:04So, how are you feeling about what's gone on?
10:05You know, the community have saved their pub.
10:08It's fantastic.
10:10Pubs are so important to local communities and we've been losing so many around Shropshire
10:15that it's great to keep the fox afloat.
10:18I used to stop here on my way back from Sainsbury's doing my monthly shopping.
10:23This was my crucial pit stop to get me all the way back home to Wallstreetham.
10:28You had a little reward for the hard graft in the supermarket.
10:32So, how have you been faring without that little tipple?
10:34I mean, it's a tough life.
10:36I've had to start going to the co-op instead.
10:38Absolute disgrace.
10:39So, you just can't wait for it to be open now, then?
10:42Absolutely fantastic, and definitely offering to help.
10:45I've helped on a community pub before in North Wales.
10:48I know there's a lot of need for volunteer support, painting stuff, cleaning stuff, making stuff happen.
10:55So, I'll be up for that later in the year.
10:57And, Francis, what's going to be your tipple of choice when it's open?
11:01What do you like?
11:02A nice wine?
11:03Sauvignon, yeah.
11:04Yeah?
11:05Cool.
11:06Good stuff.
11:07Yeah.
11:08To the local community.
11:09Definitely, definitely.
11:10And it's going to be fantastic.
11:11And they've worked so hard.
11:14Well done, guys.
11:15Well done.
11:17First of all, you did it!
11:19Yay!
11:22A lot of people put a lot of work in.
11:25But if we had it all together, Helen will have still done more than half.
11:29And I think it's just truly amazing what she's achieved.
11:32And Helen is going to say a few words.
11:37Just really a massive thank you from me.
11:39We've come on a very long journey.
11:41Obviously, this is the start of something really exciting.
11:44And it's a thank you to over 170 people who have bought a share and want to be a member of the path.
11:50Every single person who's come to a fundraising event, every message of thanks and support that we've had is just incredible.
11:59On Sunday, we have a volunteering event to help tidy up the outside.
12:04And then you will see the fencing will go up.
12:06The renovation will start.
12:08We anticipate at least six months.
12:10And we just want to give you the community pub that you want and deserve.
12:14So, thank you.
12:16Yay!
12:18And for those who've still got a drink, can we toast our pub, The Fox?
12:24Yay!