A group trying to save an historic 500-year-old pub in a Wiltshire village has launched a second share issue to raise the £300,000 it needs to complete the project.

The Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society has already raised £900,000 from a highly successful community share issue supported by almost 600 people.

This has enabled the group to complete the first phase of its project to refurbish and modernise the Hop Pole Inn at the heart of the Limpley Stoke community.

Wiltshire Times: The Hop Pole Inn is undergoing a £1.4 million restoration, refurbishment and modernisation project.The Hop Pole Inn is undergoing a £1.4 million restoration, refurbishment and modernisation project. (Image: John Baker)

Simon Coombe, the Society’s chair, said: “This is crunch time. If we fail to raise this money we will be forced to abandon this project and the Hop Pole will be lost to the community forever.

“If, on the other hand, we are successful then the Hop Pole will reopen in 2024 as a sustainable and vibrant village pub and hub which will be at the heart of this community for another 500 years.”

The Hop Pole Inn sadly closed its doors a few years ago but in 2022, thanks to the generous support of almost 600 investors, the 16th century ale house was saved from being sold and converted into residential accommodation after being acquired by the community.

However, after decades of neglect, considerable refurbishment work has been required to future-proof this Grade II listed building which witnessed the dissolution of the monasteries, the English Civil War and where actor Anthony Hopkins sipped a beer in the film The Remains of the Day.

As well as the first community share issue, the LSCBS, a not-for-profit community organisation, has also received a variety of grants to help restore the pub.

These include £300,000 from the government’s Community Ownership Fund and £10,000 apiece from the National Lottery and the Swindon-based Hills Group Ltd, through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) which is administered for Hills by Community First, the Rural Community Council for Wiltshire.

In addition, £200,000 of donations and volunteer time has been pledged from more 100 people helping the project.

Wiltshire Times: The Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society now wants to raise a further £300,000 to complete the project.The Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society now wants to raise a further £300,000 to complete the project. (Image: Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society)

Mr Coombe added: “As a result, Phase 1 of the project has been completed on budget and exciting plans have been drawn up to make the building eco-efficient whilst maintaining its enormous character.

“Today we are launching a second community share issue to raise the £300,000 required to complete this exciting project.

“This share issue has been awarded the prestigious Standard Mark and includes innovative provisions to increase the participation of the younger members of the community.”

The Hop Pole Inn is the first project being undertaken by the Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society, which is owned and run by the local community.

“As local residents, we share the strong sense of community in the village, and already have the support of the majority of households,” Mr Coombe said.

 “Aligned with local and national planning guidelines, our team has a proven track record of running a successful community enterprise, demonstrated by The Galleries Shop & Café in the neighbouring village of Freshford.”