Hop Pole, Limpley Stoke

Community Owned

Freehold Owner: Community Benefit Society. Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society. Year Purchased 2022.

The Hop Pole Inn, just south of Bath, was closed in 2018, and a community group, Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society, completed the purchase of this pub, from the Wellington Pubco, in February 2022, following a share offer. 400 people raised £500,000.00, for purchase and refurbishment, in five weeks to beat off a developer who wanted to convert it for residential use. The community group received a grant of £300K from the Community Ownership Fund to support the cost of the refurbishment in Dec 2022.

The community group worked on the refurbishment of the pub. Restoration work is nearing completion and a reopening in Jan 2025 is the current target (see BBC article). Renovation work required on this building which dates back to 1580 and is a grade 2 listed building, has been extensive. Work has been carried out by a combination of contractors and volunteers. The project has been nominated for the Plunkett Rural Community Business Award, in the 'One to Warch' category.

See website for more details.