INVEST IN A PUB
AND COMMUNITY HUB
Let's tackle loneliness and isolation together, offer support and companionship to carers and the elderly, and create a new heart for a village.
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We have a business plan that shows how we can build a great village hub and community pub in Stoke Ferry. It is based on what villagers said they wanted in our Spring 2020 survey.​
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We need a minimum of
£180,000 to buy the pub
£80,000 to renovate and reopen it
£20,000 working capital
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This will be met by loans and grants of £100,000 and share sales of £180,000. We aim to open for business in July 2021 once the extensive renovations are complete.
Anyone can join in to secure the future of the Blue Bell in Stoke Ferry as a pub and community hub. You can own your own piece of a lovely Norfolk pub and know that you are supporting a rural community in a beautiful part of the country.​
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The minimum investment is one share, for £50. It’s a great Christmas present and you will get a personalised share certificate that you can display. You will also get a vote as a member of the Community Benefit Society that will run the pub.
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We need to raise at least £180,000 from share sales, so we hope that those who can afford to put in a bit more will do so. The maximum investment by any individual is £30,000, so don’t hold back.
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Our share offer will run from 27th November until 31st January.
What we need to do now
Timeline
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Raise share funds of a minimum of £180,000 and finalise the More Than A Pub funding of £100,000 by end January 2021
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Renovation begins February, ends July 2021
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Reopening July 2021
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Complete purchase of the Blue Bell January 2021
The sale of the Blue Bell Pub
The current owner of The Blue Bell put the pub and surrounding land – including the pub garden and car park up for sale by auction on 16th December. Another part of the site, land to the rear of the property, was listed for sale separately and with access through the pub car park.
Asset of community value status
The Borough Council has accepted as valid our application for The Blue Bell to be listed again as an Asset of Community Value. This will make it even more difficult for the current or any future owner to change the use of the premises.
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However, the pub failed to sell and the owner has now agreed to cease marketing the property and sell to the community.
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So it is vital that we complete our fundraising effort by the end of January 2021 so that we can meet our timetable to reopen the Blue Bell next summer.
What you can do
Apply for your shares as soon as possible so that we can see whether we are going to reach our target and to help us get to a much stronger negotiating position.
Our plan for The Blue Bell
A living room in Stoke Ferry with a warm
welcome for locals and visitors alike
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Quality bar food, snacks, coffees/teas, cakes to have in or take away
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maginative and appealing vegetarian/vegan dishes
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Locally sourced foods and use of organic ingredients where possible
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Local beers, spirits and coffee
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All-day café service
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A parcel depot and prescription pick-up service
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‘Café for Carers’; respite for carers to come together for mutual support
The reborn Blue Bell will be a traditional, stylish, comfortable, welcoming, family friendly village local with all the modern extras:
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A hub for clubs, retirees, and other social groups
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A regular Citizens’ Café where people can listen to and debate topics of interest e.g. local history, development of the village, Black History Month, Pride
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A history archive of images, documents & artefacts relating for Stoke Ferry and the surrounding villages
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Use of recycled/up-cycled materials and purchases through Stoke Ferry Market Place and local web sites, thus keeping money within the local economy
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Using local tradespeople and suppliers wherever possible