A brief History of Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society Limited

History – In December 2014 the pub in Avon Dassett closed. Then known as The Avon, it had been at the centre of village activities for many years. The owner, Enterprise Inns then put the pub on the market. Faced with losing the only significant public asset in the village, an open meeting was called, and the Save the Avon group was formed.

Before the group could gain any traction, an experienced pub operator stepped in and bought the Avon from the brewery, stating plans to relaunch the business. However, as a precaution, the Parish Council petitioned Stratford on Avon District Council to grant an Asset of Community Value (ACV) Order on the property.

The pub remained closed for refurbishment until February 2016, and only opened for four months until June when it again closed 

The owner quickly followed the closure with a Planning Application for a change of use to a domestic property. This galvanised the community and the Save the Avon group was revived. The villagers objected to the Planning Application in large numbers, and the Planning Application was eventually withdrawn shortly before the planning committee at which the application was due to be discussed. . At this point, the Parish Council submitted an ‘Intention to Bid’. This gave the community six months to try to raise funds to buy the pub from its owner. 

Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society was born and with significant help and guidance from The Plunkett Foundation, was registered in February 2017 with the Financial Conduct Authority. An initial management structure was formed from volunteers, a formal set of rules were adopted, business plans prepared together with cash flow forecasts, and a prospectus drawn up for the sale of shares to raise finance. Grants and loan applications were made and approved, leaving a shortfall which needed to be made up by the sale of shares.

A share sale was held and members of the community, plus friends and families, rallied to the cause and over £300,000 was raised. Together with grants, commercial loans of £100,000 and short-term loans to cover the VAT payment and initial working capital, the funding target was reached. We then had to negotiate a purchase price.

After much negotiation, a price was agreed which gave the owner a significant return on their investment but ensured that the Avon was saved for the village. In September 2017, the pub became a community asset. The next problem was deciding how it should operate. 

The business – The Management Committee discussed the options available for the future running of the Yew Tree; these included the Society running the pub using volunteers, hiring a manager, or granting a lease to a tenant. After much discussion it was agreed that although we had attracted over 130 shareholders, there was insufficient resource in the community for the pub to be run by volunteers on a long-term basis. It was also felt that a paid manager would have little incentive to grow the business, so we rejected this option and agreed to lease the business to an experienced operator. This approach would also ensure that there was minimal financial risk to the Society as any tenant would be responsible for the running of the pub and all associated costs and staffing issues. 

From November 2017 to March 2020, we had three different tenants. The pub, then trading as The Yew Tree closed due to the pandemic. The tenant also gave notice to terminate their lease, and we were left with a closed pub and no tenant.

Determined to keep the pub and reopen it as soon as possible, in June 2020 the Management Committee recruited volunteers to undertake a redecoration programme to reinvigorate and smarten up the Yew Tree. We reopened the pub on 4 July 2020 with the help of community volunteers until a tenant could be found.

In September 2020 we welcomed a new tenant, Jack McEntee, trading as Happy Wolf Pub Company Ltd.  Despite ongoing restrictions, the Yew Tree trade grew strongly. In 2025 Jack renewed and extended his lease with the Society for another five years.

The premises – the operation of the Yew Tree is the sole responsibility of the Happy Wolf Pub Company Ltd.  However, the responsibility for maintaining and developing the building remains with the Society.

To date we have managed to make improvements as follows:

·  installed double glazing to improve energy efficiency,

·  upgraded the drainage,

·  extended and re-laid patios including providing level access from the car park,

·  added disabled toilet and baby changing facilities

·  refurbished the gents’ toilets. 

Further improvement and developments will need finance to be available.

Shares – We have grown our shareholder number to 144 with new members joining and members leaving due to relocation or other personal reasons, but we are always keen to attract new members. We are especially wanting to attract new members who are keen to get involved with the management of the Society and the development of the premises.

Our Rules prohibit us from paying dividends on shares, but we are allowed to pay interest, subject to sufficient finance being available. By 2025 we had managed to pay interest in two of the last three years and hope to be able to repeat this in the future.

There is more information on buying shares on Society’s website at: 

https://avondassettcommunitybenefitsociety.co.uk/shares

More than a pub – Conditions were attached to our loan and grant financing which require us to demonstrate benefits to the community beyond those of a traditional pub. Each year we submit a Social Impact report which describes our “more than a pub” contribution. Current activities include the following, but we are always looking for more ideas on how we can support the community by using the pub:

·  The Yew Tree Walking Group - meets every third Thursday each month at 10.50 outside the Yew Tree for a four-to-five-mile circular walk returning to the pub for lunch. New members are welcome to join the walk, or anyone can simply come along to join us for lunch.

·  The Friday Club - meets at 12.00 on Friday lunchtimes and is open to all. Come along and receive a warm and friendly welcome and join fellow residents for a chat and a few light-hearted games. 

·  Book exchange – bring and borrow a book

·  Notice board – for adverts for local businesses and events

·  The Bridge Club 

More information – please approach our management committee members, or enquire via the website, for more information or to discuss your interest in becoming a member of the Society and helping to retain the Yew Tree for the community.