Nympsfield Community Pub Limited (NCPL) has reached an exciting milestone in its journey to purchase and reopen the Rose & Crown Inn as a community-owned pub, with over £200,000 raised in shares from more than 300 investors.
This comes as NCPL, a Community Benefit Society established by Nympsfield residents in April 2024 to save the Rose & Crown Inn, Nympsfield, recently extended the deadline for its community share offer until 31 January 2025.
NCPL intends to raise at least £400,000 in community shares to help it purchase, renovate and reopen the Rose & Crown Inn as a community-owned pub. The share offer was due to close on 6 November 2024 but, following feedback from existing investors that they would like more time to add to their initial investment, the offer has been extended to give NCPL the best possible chance of reaching its target.
Anyone over 16 is welcome to purchase shares, you do not have to live in Nympsfield and you can also purchase shares on behalf of a business or as a gift to family and friends.
Matthew Burke, Chair of the Interim Management Committee, said, “The amount raised so far is an incredible achievement and demonstrates, as our consultation indicated, a strong desire from the local community and the wider area to see the Rose & Crown Inn trading again, but this time as a community-owned pub.
“Failure to purchase the pub could give the current owner grounds to convert the building into housing, meaning the Rose & Crown Inn would be lost forever. The pub has a long history of being financially successful, but is currently closed because of the building’s poor condition as a result of long-term chronic underinvestment.
“We encourage anyone who is thinking about investing to do it as soon as possible, as your money will help to unlock more investment. If you have already invested and want to increase your shareholding, you can do so too. As Christmas approaches, why not buy your loved ones a share of the Rose & Crown Inn for Christmas?
“To download the business plan, share offer prospectus, and complete the online share application form, please visit our website (nympsfieldcommunitypub.co.uk). But you must do so before 31 January as we are unable to extend the share offer again!”
Alongside the share offer, NCPL has a dedicated team of volunteers who have been busy organising fundraising events and applying for grants. A “Promises Auction” was held on 9 November where local people and businesses donated items and experiences for auction, raising over £7,500. This brings the total raised from fundraising events since NCPL’s inception in April 2024 to £13,500. NCPL has also won several grants, the most recent being a £4,000 grant and support package from the School of Social Entrepreneurs, bringing the total grants awarded to £15,000.
Additional Background Information
The Rose & Crown Inn is the last remaining pub in Nympsfield and has been at the heart of the community since the mid-1800s. Sadly, following a sustained period of chronic under-investment in its beautiful Grade II listed building, the pub closed in March 2023, and the fabric of the building has continued to deteriorate rapidly, leaving it in a critical state of disrepair.
Nympsfield Community Pub Limited (NCPL) is striving to create a welcoming pub at the heart of the village, owned by and run for the benefit of the community. The Rose & Crown Inn will serve good quality, locally sourced, and reasonably priced food and drink, and incorporate a café and village shop to provide a space to meet and connect with others.
