Photo by Alex Seinet
Campaigners for Wickham Market’s last remaining pub, the George, win runner up in Pub Saving Awards
CAMRA has named the George Community Pub (Wickham Market) Ltd who saved the George in Wickham Market, Suffolk – the only pub left in the village – as joint runner ups in its Pub Saving Awards 2025.
The Pub Saving Awards celebrate communities who have rallied together to fight for their local, saving the pub from a grim fate of conversion or even demolition. The awards put these campaigns in the spotlight, inspiring others to investigate community ownership for their local.
The last remaining pub in the village of Wickham Market, the George, is a 500-year-old Grade II listed pub which was devastated by a fire in 2013. Despite the destruction, the burnt-out pub was in danger of being demolished by a private developer with the intention to develop the site, beginning an epic 12-year campaign to restore and reopen it as a community-owned pub.
450 shareholders investing over £400,000 and the Lottery Heritage Fund awarding the campaign £1.5m, alongside other grants such as the now discontinued Community Ownership Fund, meant the restoration project was given the go-ahead in July 2023.
The pub reopened on 7 June 2025 and has been fully modernised yet retains character from the original building. The local community describe the George as “more than a pub”, with it now hosting multiple social, educational and cultural activities to promote wellbeing and combat loneliness and isolation, such as dementia cafes and toddler groups.
Edward Leigh pub manager said:
"We would like to thank CAMRA for this award and recognition. Reopening pubs in this climate is a very challenging undertaking and their backing is incredibly valuable. We are lucky to have fantastic support from our local community and look forward to many years of happy trading."
Andrea Briers, CAMRA East Anglia Regional Director said:
“This was a long campaign, and it shows what hard work and determination of a community can achieve. Well done to those involved in saving the George and I hope it will now be there for everyone to enjoy for years to come.”
Gordon Taylor, Ipswich and East Suffolk CAMRA branch Chairman added:
“This is a fantastic achievement and worthy recognition for all involved with getting the George up and running again as a successful community pub. I remember attending a launch event at the village hall a few years back and it was clear then that the enthusiasm was there. I look forward to visiting.”
Joint runner up was the Ashton Hayes Community Hub Ltd, who saved the Golden Lion in Ashton Hayes, Chester. The overall winner was the Hull Community Pub Society, who campaigned for the New Clarence in Hull.
Paul Ainsworth, Pub Saving Award Coordinator said:
“These community champions and heritage heroes deserve to be applauded. I continue to be amazed by the dedication and grit of these campaigners, who spend years or even decades campaigning to save pubs.”
“However, if we want more communities to be able to do this, they need support from the government. The Community Ownership Fund provided cash for groups to take ownership and the running of community facilities that would otherwise be sold, converted or demolished. This was wound up by the government and has not been directly replaced. The forthcoming Right to Buy scheme must come alongside a dedicated programme of advice, guidance and funding to make sure community pubs go from strength to strength.”
The pub will be presented with the award at an event organised by the local CAMRA branch.
Ends
Notes to editors
Photos of the winners and runner ups: camra-stock.camra.org.uk/256263685/collection/114/pub-saving-award-2025
CAMRA has detailed guides and resources for anybody looking to save their local: camra.org.uk/save-your-local-pub
More information about the Pub Saving Awards: camra.org.uk/awards/pub-saving
More information about the George: thegeorgecommunitypub.co.uk
About CAMRA:
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is a not-for-profit UK consumer group.
We have been campaigning for pubs, pints and people since 1971.
Media Contact:
CAMRA Press Office:
01727 337863
