Wiltshire Community Celebrates Historic Pub Acquisition
A determined community group in Wiltshire has achieved a remarkable victory by securing the purchase of a historic village pub that has stood closed for nearly two years. The Ivy Inn in Heddington, which ceased trading in May 2024 after being placed on the market by owner Wadworth, will now be revived through local effort and investment.
A 17th-Century Venue Saved for the Community
The 17th-century building, listed as an asset of community value with an asking price of £450,000 plus VAT, provided residents with a crucial window until 2029 to gather the necessary funds. The Friends of The Ivy, established as a community benefit society in 2024, confirmed via a Facebook statement that the formal completion of the deal is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3.
The group expressed profound gratitude to all involved, stating: "A huge vote of thanks needs to go to EVERYONE who has served on the steering/management committee - past and present, the various subgroups and all those who have supported by buying shares and/or attending the meetings and events."
They added that a formal handover and 'presentation of the keys' with Wadworth's managing director, Toby Bartholomew, is anticipated next week, likely on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the real work ahead.
Successful Fundraising Campaign
Formed with the explicit aim of preventing the building's conversion to alternative uses, the Friends of The Ivy launched a share offer last November. In an impressive display of community support, they raised £400,000 within just six weeks, sufficient for the acquisition and essential refurbishment. Encouraged by this success, the group extended the share offer deadline to reach its optimal target of £600,000, as outlined in their comprehensive business plan.
Dr Paul Moyle-Harris, chair of Friends of The Ivy, emphasised the importance of this higher funding level: "This will enable us to complete the full, necessary renovations and provide the robust working capital detailed in our business plan, ensuring The Ivy becomes a sustainable, high-quality community hub for future generations in Heddington."
Vision for a Vibrant Community Hub
The campaign's goal, as stated on the Friends of The Ivy website, is to create a "vibrant, sustainable focal point" for the village and surrounding areas. Plans include operating the historic building as a café during the day and a pub in the evenings, with local residents also expressing keen interest in hosting live music events.
Pauline Crane, a community shareholder from Stockley, shared her enthusiasm with Business Live: "The steering group and committee, and everyone else involved in the Friends of The Ivy campaign, has worked really hard to put everything in place to support our community to buy the pub. We will work together as a community to make it thrive. The Ivy is an important historical building and it's the centre of our village. It will be amazing to see it come back to life and be the hub it once was. This is an incredible milestone."
This acquisition represents a significant achievement in community-led preservation, ensuring that a cherished local landmark will once again serve as the heart of village life in Heddington.
