Our approach

Research shows community owned pubs are thriving nationally with a 100% success rate. A fantastic local example is the Exelby Green Dragon Community Pub. Their success story shows how community pubs can bring great benefits to the local communities they serve. Other local community-owned pub models include the White Horse, Church Fenton and Golden Ball, York (especially relevant as this community-owned pub is leased, just as the Half Moon was advertised).

We, the Half Moon Pub Group (HMPG) – a working group of local volunteers – propose the same business model for the Half Moon, Sharow. It is known as a ‘Community Benefit Society’. We would take on a long-term, ‘free-of-ties’ lease (as was advertised) or if it can be negotiated, we would like to purchase the property. The group would not manage the day-to-day operation of the pub, rather we would engage a professional tenant manager (some have already come forward to contact us). This model ensures the pub conducts business for the benefit of the community. To put this in place, we shall propose a ‘community share offer’ to raise funds. Community shares are not donations, they are investments (and may have tax incentives). 

For full details on pub as ‘community hub’ models, see More Than A Pub. For details on our proposed ‘Community Benefit Society’ governance & legal model and how a community share offer works see this guide: How to Set up a Community Pub.

Our plan is to raise a relatively small, yet sufficient amount that will allow us to fund the Half Moon Inn set up costs. We plan to capitalise the project on a small £50,000 community share offer, that is eligible for match funding from Co-operatives UK ‘booster fund’, therefore allowing us to raise £100,000. This start-up budget will be sufficient to cover set up costs, building and refurbishment works, as well as the first year’s lease cost. There are also grants for community owned pubs such as Community ownership fund. We are also aware that the current owner has suggested a rent free ‘community incentive’ period. Additionally, V&A Homes have indicated that, as shareholders, significant support towards building costs would be available. For a comparable fully worked up model, you can have a look at Green Dragon, Exelby business plan.

Note – the above illustrative set up costs have now been put forward with the support and advice from a Plunkett advisor, who looked specifically at the model of the Half Moon Inn at Sharow. The specific aspects that were considered include a potential contribution from V&A Homes, building and fit out requirements of the Half Moon Inn’s current state and the constituents of the Sharow community and surrounding villages.

Who we are