Nearly a hundred villagers gathered at Chedworth Village Hall on Saturday, 8th March, to discuss the future of The Seven Tuns, which has been closed since late 2023. The meeting saw overwhelming support for the idea of bringing the pub into community ownership to secure its future for generations to come.
The Seven Tuns has faced multiple closures over the past decade, struggling with rising costs, the impact of COVID-19, and the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis. However, Chedworth residents are determined to take action, and the meeting confirmed a strong village-wide commitment to exploring the purchase of the pub as a community asset.
A Clear Commitment to Action
The discussion covered the importance of the pub to the village, the challenges it has faced, and the need for a long-term solution to keep it open and thriving. Attendees supported the formation of a Community Benefit Society (CBS) to lead the process of acquiring the freehold of the pub and managing its future as a community-owned venue.
Patricia Langley, Chair of the Seven Tuns Action Group (STAG), shared her optimism about the next steps:
“The turnout at the meeting showed just how much this pub means to the village. Losing The Seven Tuns permanently would be a huge blow to our community, but we now have a real chance to save it. The next step is to assess how we can make community ownership a reality.”
The Seven Tuns Now Listed as an Asset of Community Value
A key development in the campaign is that the pub has now been designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). This status prevents an immediate sale on the open market and gives the village time to develop a viable plan for purchasing the pub.
Exploring Fundraising Options
The meeting confirmed that villagers are committed to raising the necessary funds to purchase the pub. Various funding options will be explored, including grants, donations, and community investment, to ensure a strong financial foundation for the purchase.
Next Steps & How to Get Involved
With strong support from the village, the next stage is to develop a clear plan for purchasing and running the pub sustainably. The campaign team is encouraging villagers to stay engaged and offer their skills, ideas, and support.
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1 Comment
by Mark Lanyon
A very useful meeting and an interesting discussion.
I’ve often thought that those aluminium barrels (various breweries including Youngs and Hook Norton) sitting outside the Tuns are very unsightly. Presumably they have a value – even if it’s only scrap. (It’s almost wonderful that they haven’t been nicked.)
Does anyone have any views on what we should do with them? I can’t believe the Landlords could claim them. Could STAG benefit? M