I've heard of quite a few communities buying their local; I hope the people of Norton Lindsay can make a success of it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-37534753

Before I went awayI had permission to go into this pub which is empty and due to be pulled down. I went with a friend to photograph it for a record.It was obviously a loved pub as I saw from messages written on the blackboard from loyal customers.
What annoys me so much is that this pub is being pulled down without any archaeological or building record by whichever council is responsible.even tho' it dates in parts to the late 1700s but updated many times since. Elswhere in the country it is law to make records of old buildings and sites before building is allowed.However there has been no condition as yet and will soon be pulled down and an enormous industrial building will go up to house a scaffold company.Money talks a s usual with no thought of how people want these places. aparrently thecustomers were looking into buying it--but was sold under their noses.This is the 3rd pub in Exhall to go -one is Sainsburys, the other a Co-op
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Spent many a happy hour in there when Les and Alan had it. It really is a shame how its ended.

At least you managed to get some record of the place Cathi. Maybe your local history society might be interested in your photos as a basis for a research project/talk on the pub?

The pub looks like it might have a good future: http://www.stratford-herald.com/67771-council-pledges-crucial-funding-community-pub.html

Enterprise Inns! - Never has a bigger shower of excrement been responsible for pubs. They've even recently changed their name to EI because of their bad name. I truly wish the community well with this venture.

Good to see the pub get some recognition: http://www.stratford-herald.com/103918-new-inn-community-pub-wins-national-award.html

Good luck to them, but I stand by my previous comments.

The New Inn's won another award: https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/people/warwickshires-first-community-owned-pub-receives-further-national-recognition-second-award-win-3032190

I actually drink here occasionally; it's a decent pub with some really good beer.

A shop's being opened as well; hope it's a success: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-64003094

My local is currently up for sale. It simply doesn't work as a wet-led outlet, as I told the present owner when she took over a few years ago.

The pub model that I grew up with is dead. You have to offer something above wet sales these days. Food isn't always the answer, and with energy prices as they are, I'd fight shy of that. Amazon (etc.) drop-off points might be interesting, as might clubs accessing local trade warehouses. Setting up a microbrewery might also be interesting if you could find a cheap way of supplying power. - Solar panels and a windmill would work here, but a detailed analysis of the outlay Vs profits needs to be undertaken.

The shop's opened it's doors: https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/much-needed-community-shop-opens-in-norton-lindsey-45081/

Good luck to them. <thumbs up>