Northwood: Community saves 200-year-old pub from closing

Locals held tractor runs to raise money to save the Horse and Jockey

A community in Shropshire has saved a 200-year-old pub after it was put up for sale last October.

Louise Paton applied for the Horse and Jockey in Northwood to become an asset of the community after a six-month suspension was put on the sale of it.

Over 85 villagers bought shares and raised enough to apply for a £200,000 community levelling up match fund.

Mrs Paton said she was "excited" to see everyone at the grand re-opening later.

"A lot of people who used to be regulars we don't see them [anymore] because they didn't have a place to meet up with local people," she said.

Shareholders also put on barbecues to raise the money for the pub

Northwood has 43 houses in the community and the pub is a lifeline for the village.

"We used to have a flower mill, a shop... there was about six or seven community things and then when the pub went the only thing left was the Methodist Church," the former teacher said.

The pub is now known as the Horse & Jockey Community Pub and will operate on a not-for-profit basis for the good of the village, Mrs Paton said.

The minimum share value someone can buy is £200, which secures 200 shares, the pub said.

A pub manager has just been appointed, after Mrs Paton said it had been "touch and go with volunteers running the bar".

Louise Paton says they are hoping to create a beer garden for summer drinkers

Mrs Paton said they are hoping to hire a chef soon and start serving food by February.

"We're also looking at making a pub garden, as at the moment we don't and where we live we have some amazing views," she added.

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan will be pulling the first pint at the grand re-opening at 16:00 GMT.

Mrs Paton said the village's next venture involves looking at opening a community shop.