The Packhorse, South Stoke, Bath is closed – but with your help we aim to re-open it!
In May 2016 the community of South Stoke was presented with the opportunity to bring the Packhorse pub back under local ownership. The scheme received an incredible response, and in September 2016, this C17th building – the sole village pub in South Stoke for over 150 years – came back into community hands. As of January 2017 (the start of this appeal) an incredible £750k has been raised from over 320 generous shareholders. The “buy back” story and the galvanising moments it has created – bringing together people of all ages in social connection – has made local and national news (BBC, ITV, Spectator etc). In the fullness of time, once we are up and running, we hope to help other communities who are embarking on similar projects. But, we are not quite there yet. Shortly, we will be commissioning a main builder to start work on this historic pub. The planned work includes a total refurbishment of all four floors, new car parking, a re-landscaped garden, indoor toilets, and a modern kitchen extension. We need to raise at least another £125k to make this all possible and launch our new community-owned business in late summer 2017.
How can you help and become part of this incredible story?
- For £500+ you can become a shareholder in the Packhorse South Stoke Limited (we are keeping this open).
- For a £50-£100 donation you will become a “Friend of the Packhorse” (regular newsletters, occasional offers etc.) and receive a voucher for a free drink, to be spent in the Packhorse within its first year of operation.
- For a donation of £100+ you’re invited to contribute to our unique “Packhorse photomosaic” – along with other donors, you’ll be able to submit a photograph to be used to create an image of the Packhorse pub, which will be proudly framed/displayed within the new building and available online)*. On your first day in the newly opened pub, you’ll be faced with the challenge of finding yourself in the image; on all subsequent days, you’ll have the pride of pointing it out to friends.
All donated monies will help finance the capital costs of reconstructing the pub.
What are you waiting for? Please sign up below – and please share with your family and friends.
Together we will get the Packhorse open and proudly serving us all once again!
*For all existing shareholders – we plan to commission a similar image of the Packhorse image made from all shareholders’ names!