Filmed in September 2025, the four-part series follows the comic and radio presenter as he works alongside local residents to bring the Plough in Fadmoor, North Yorkshire, back to life. The first episode reveals the group ambitiously plan to have the pub open by spring this year.
Dating back to 1782, the Plough has been closed since 2011. It was purchased by Fadmoor Community Pub Limited in September 2024 after the group secured funding through the Government-backed Community Ownership Fund.
The first instalment of the docuseries introduces the volunteer committee tasked with delivering the project, including pub treasurer and local chicken farmer Ruth, renovation manager and sheep farmer John, marketing manager Debbie, building manager Phil, committee chairperson and town planner Peter and pub licensee Ed.
Introducing the programme, Richardson said: “I absolutely love pubs, I think they are a really special part of British culture. The only thing I don’t love about them, is how many seem to be closing.”
When Richardson first arrives on site, he explains he has never seen the pub without scaffolding.
Magic and banter
While the venue has had a new roof by the time of recording, the interior remains secure but derelict, with crumbling walls and peeling paint.
“All I see is potential,” Richardson tells the cameras, later adding: “There’s so much to do… but there is such a magic to pubs and even though its empty you can still feel it…you can feel the banter.”
The social role of the pub within the village is also spoken about, with residents sharing stories of milestones marked at the Plough, from wetting babies’ heads to first legal pints and courtships.
“I was never here when [the pub] was open, I’ve got no right to feel any connection to it but I do”, Richardson said when reflecting on the pub’s past.
The show also discusses the financial challenges of restoring a community pub like the Plough, with Ruth outlining the budget for the project originally stood at £53,000 while estimated costs totalled £125,000.
“We urgently need more funds,” she says, adding the committee is hoping existing shareholders will invest further.
Peter, described in the programme as the “heart of decision making”, is later shown leading meetings designed to drum up further investment, volunteers and material donations. At the time of filming, 180 people had bought shares in the pub, including Richardson.
Long way to go
The episode also documents early renovation work, including electrics, plumbing and plans for new windows, with volunteers carrying out much of the work themselves to keep costs down.
A floor plan shows the community intend to keep the bar where it is, open the dining room, refresh the kitchen, knock down and rebuild the toilet block, and add a second bar with doors opening onto the courtyard.
The first episode culminates in the demolition of the toilet block, with the team carefully dismantling the roof and flooring to preserve original tiles, which are cleaned and restored for reuse in the bar area.
Richardson is shown donning a hard hat and hi-vis vest, helping move rubble and dismantle the toilet block, though DIY is clearly not his strength.
He jokes about his limitations before admitting: “I look at this and think there is a long way to go.”
“With enough vision and some serious elbow grease, we can resurrect the heart of this community.”
Elsewhere in the episode, Richardson helps Ruth on her chicken farm, makes a sandwich run to a local deli, and visits a brewery in Helmsley, around seven miles away, as part of efforts to secure local suppliers.
The comedian also promises to pull pints on opening night, joking about ordering a Martini before settling on a pint of local beer. The next episode of the series airs on More 4 on Wednesday 11 February at 9pm.
