£300,000 Government Funding Awarded

Ashendon Community Pub Society Has Received a Transformative £300,000 Government Grant Offer Towards Saving our Pub.

Amid stiff competition and in a monumental boost for community spirit and local connectivity, the Ashendon Community Pub Society (ACPS) is thrilled to announce its receipt of a significant Community Ownership grant amounting to £300,000.

This generous funding, awarded by the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, marks a new chapter in our ongoing efforts to preserve the Ashendon Pub as a community-owned asset.

A Victory for Community Spirit

The grant award is a testament to the collective spirit and determination of the people of Ashendon and surrounding villages. The ACPS, formed by residents passionate about maintaining the village's social hub, has worked tirelessly to secure the future of the Pub. This grant not only solidifies their efforts but represents a major milestone on the journey to the pub's transformation into a vibrant community hub.

Next Steps: Full Funding Through a Community Share Offer

The award is made up of a £250,000 Community Ownership Fund towards the purchase of the freehold plus a £50,000 revenue fund towards working capital.

The society will then need to raise a further £250,000 to acquire, renovate, and reopen the pub. This balance will be raised through a Community Share Offer. 

We are enormously grateful to those residents in Ashendon and neighbouring villages who have already pledged to buy shares when the offer is issued. The current total pledged is £168,800.

Filling the Pledge Gap We are still seeking £82,000 in pledges to buy shares. Now that we have won the trust and majority financial backing of the government to make this initiative a success, we hope that even more members of the community will come forward to pledge whatever they can to ensure this window of opportunity does not slip through our fingers.