Pub saved from closure is village's 'beating heart'

The honour of cutting the ribbon to reopen The Plough fell to John Wicks (middle) and two young customers

A pub described as "the beating heart of the village" has been saved from permanent closure.

The Plough, a grade II listed pub in King's Walden, Hertfordshire, reopened at the weekend with 500 people celebrating the event.

Admiral Taverns, the previous owner of the property, had submitted an application to convert it into a private home.

Adam Nicoll, who formed a community company with Richard Pilkington to buy the pub, said he was as "proud as punch" to have kept it open "for another generation".

Adam Nicoll (pictured) and Richard Pilkington bought The Plough in May 2024

In July 2023, King's Walden Parish Council was notified of Admiral Taverns' intention to sell the pub.

Later in the year, the pub chain applied to convert it into a four-bed private home.

Mr Nicoll said he and Mr Pilkington bought The Plough in May 2024 after a "lengthy battle".

"We feel like we’ve saved a piece of England."

On Sunday, the pub's longest-serving customer, John Wicks, 76, cut the ribbon at the reopening, making it the "busiest day at the pub in 15 years", Mr Nicoll added.

Andrew Marshal, a regular, said: "This place is the beating heart of the village and I am so glad it has been saved and it looks better than ever."

Adam Nicoll says The Plough's garden has one of the "best pub views in Hertfordshire"

A spokesperson for Admiral Taverns, which states on its website it is "the UK’s leading community pub group", said: "We can confirm the sale of The Plough in King's Walden to a local community group.

"Taking the decision to close a pub is never easy, but we are pleased to have reached an agreement which will see the pub continue to support the local community and we wish the new owners the best for the future."

Customers queue at the bar in the newly reopened pub