The Ickleton Lion is 300 years old and is located between Cambridge and Saffron Walden in Essex. The site was bought by a community benefit society last year with aims of preserving the venue.
The Ickleton Lionhearted Group, which was set up in support of the pub, reported they received a cash boost of more than £50,000 from three separate grants in order to support the pubs renovation.
Members of the volunteer team banded together to raise a total sum of £440,000 over the span of ten weeks.
The Morning Advertiser (MA) spoke to Eccleton Lionhearted Group committee member Joanna Hancock to find out more about the call for volunteers and hear about how this may help improve the pub.
Multiple funds
Hancock explained that since receiving the keys, both villagers and owners alike have dedicated their time to restoring the beloved village venue, which had previously sat empty for over a year.
The site received funding from Thalia WB community fund to buy brand new kitchen equipment. A total of £26,464 was received alongside a grant for £22,458 which was given as part of the net zero villages grant scheme. £1,844 was additionally provided through a trust.
We are completely delighted
Hancock said: “The initial focus for us was raising money to buy the pub, we had a bit of a set back initially with the Government’s community ownership fund, but then we threw ourselves into raising money within the community and we were completely delighted with the support we got. We managed to raise £441,000 in ten weeks.
“The Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority gave us grant funding right at the beginning, seed funding that enabled us to pull the Community to pull group together.
“This meant, we actually had the money to create the Community benefits society. Without that, we would have struggled because we, needed some money to start up. They’ve given us a £45,000 grant that went towards purchasing the pub as well."
Speaking on the benefits of the society, she added: “Ultimately it was a really good idea that we set up the community benefits society, so everyone gets a vote so there is no hierarchy in terms of investment or membership, everyone has the same say in what happens.”
Hancock described the level of support from volunteer members as “incredible” and the grants they have received as “game changers”
Community effort
She added: “We’ve had other people that have joined as we’ve progressed through the stage from setting up the company, raising the money and buying a pub, and now we’re in the renovation phase. Obviously it’s a bit of a different skill set.”
We are on the home straight now
She explained people have pitched in and joined the pub’s management committee with an array of skillsets including HR, project management and even interior design experience.
Speaking on growing numbers of support and what that means for the site, she said: “On top of the management committee we’ve got over 100 people that have volunteered in some capacity.”
Looking ahead, she explained she had high hopes for the opening of the Ickleton and was “really touched” by the level of support community members had given.
Touching on future plans and how she aims to navigate the future, at the community pub, she added: “We are on the home straight now and hopefully we continue to gather support.
“In the summer we want to aim to focus on painting and getting the site looking as good as we can. We have had so much support, even from members of the cricket team!”
“I have huge gratitude to everybody that has pitched in and supported us right, from the beginning. You know, the Parish council and MP Pippa Haylings has been amazing.”
