Our Story
“When the members of a community come together for a common cause, without financial or commercial motives, when they collaborate to save something that is important and valuable to their community, they unlock something very powerful”.
In 2013 The George Pub was almost destroyed by a devastating fire and in the following two years it was bought at auction by a private developer with the intention to demolish and develop the site.
The Grade II listing of the building and East Suffolk Council prevented this from happening and it was then important that the community showed an interest in acquiring the building to restore and reopen it as a community- owned pub.
Following a public meeting at the village hall, support for the project was overwhelming. A group of volunteers quickly got together to form a Community Benefit Society to sell shares-enough to buy the building, prepare the plans and to cost the necessary restoration work.
The road to survival was NOT easy
Our aim was to interest The National Lottery Heritage fund in our story and that of the building. Eventually, after much work and numerous presentations, we managed to get their interest and support for the project.
In November 2021 The Lottery Heritage Fund awarded the George a £1million Heritage Enterprise grant, which alongside shareholder funds and other grants, was thought to be enough to complete the renovation. However, the Covid pandemic and the passing of time had taken its toll and, when tenders were finally received, roaring inflation had changed the scene and costs were shown to be far higher than original projections.
Another combined effort was needed.
To bridge the funding gap, cost savings were made and shareholders were asked once again to dig deep, and they did so generously. Finally, alongside support from The Government’s Community Ownership Fund and other additional grants, The National Lottery Heritage Fund were asked to consider an increase to their original award. These all combined to fill the funding gap and, with building costs fixed and the grant increase approved, the project was given the go-ahead in July 2023.
Facilities
There will be a Bar, Kitchen, Pub Garden and Activity Room.
Downstairs will feature a bar, two restaurant areas, modern kitchen, and beer garden whilst upstairs there will be a purpose-built activity room, accessible by lift and stairs.
Here there will be the opportunity for a wide range of entertainment and activities and for groups to meet and socialise. A programme of well-being activities is also in development so that full inclusivity can be enjoyed. A Community Engagement Co-ordinator has also been employed to identify and manage the Activity Room and respond to the wishes of the village residents.
restoration
This unique building will now be saved from the Heritage at Risk List.
It’s not only fantastic news for Wickham Market but a success story for Heritage nationwide.
It will be a new beginning for Wickham’s last remaining pub, which fell into disrepair following the fire in 2013, until it was discovered that what was thought to be a 17th Century building is now believed to date back to the early 16th Century and the time of King Henry VIII.