Pubs are closing at an alarming rate. The impact of high prices for tied tenants, rent increases, tough economic conditions and impact the pandemic has had on hospitality have left many communities with no local pub.

We are determined that this does not happen in the Bartons. We believe that tenants operating in a cared-for premises, free of tie and at a reasonable rent will give the pub its best chance of success, and that these conditions are best achieved by the community ownership model.

Commonly, local community pubs are owned by the community - but the day-to-day operations are undertaken by tenants or managers. This is the model we feel would give the pub the best chance of success.

We are aiming to raise the bulk of the capital by the sale of shares. Each shareholder will become a member of the Benefit Society and be entitled to participate in its running and decision-making. We will also apply for grants and community loans.

In short, yes!

We believe this is the best chance the pub has.

There are successful community pubs all over Oxfordshire and the U.K.

Local examples include the Abingdon Arms in Beckley and the White House in Bladon.

Community pubs have a 100% success rate.

A pub that is both owned and controlled by a significant number of people from within the community.
Local folk have an investment in the pub and the opportunity to have a say in how it is run. The pub can truly reflect the wants and needs of the local area whilst still being a viable business – helped by the fact that people are often more inclined to use ‘their’ pub.
The most common organisation that is used to achieve this is a “Community Benefit Society” which exists solely to benefit the local community and can purchase assets that can achieve that objective.

A business that allows for community ownership.
The purpose of a community benefit society is to serve the broader interests of the community.
Members who hold shares are accorded democratic rights on the basis on one-member-one-vote on the makeup of the organisation and critical decision.
Any profit made by a community benefit society must be used for the benefit of the community. Interest on share capital is an operating expense and should be subject to a declared maximum rate.
The Pub would be “locked” as an asset - meaning that no individual or organisation could make profit from the sale of it. All profits must go towards the community.

Pledging allows us to make our case.
We need pledges to give us an idea of how much we could raise. This allows us to build our business plan and tell funders we could raise for matchfunding.
Pledging is a statement of intent only. When the Shares are issued we will contact people to let them know the opportunity to buy has arrived.
You will only have to actually pay if and when we buy the pub
If the bid is accepted but the sale falls through you'll get your money back

They are a way for Community groups to raise money.
They are a flexible and effective way to raise finance.
They are withdrawable, non-transferable share capital: a form of equity uniquely available to co-operative and community benefit societies.

No - there are differences.
Unlike many types of share they are non-transferable and can’t be traded on the market.
Whilst they may pay a modest amount of interest, they don’t pay dividends.
Share value does not go up or down.
Unlike Ordinary Shares, your share value is not decreased if further shares are issued. One member - one vote.
In common with all shares there is risk of losing your money attached (but an incredible 92% of all businesses who have used community shares are still trading).
It should be noted, the amount of interest we are able to pay is modest. The primary reason to invest in community shares is social good, and profit should not be the uppermost objective of members.
See gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/invest-in-local-enterprises

No. They are a form of investment.
A donation is an amount that is given away to an organisation. Community Shares are an investment making a positive change and what they offer that donations do not is the possibility of a return on investment, the ability to withdraw your money, and your rights as a member.
Investors in community share schemes, will be members of the organisation and have rights arising from that ownership. Voting rights allow for democratic control over the makeup and decision making.
Another benefit is that investors are more likely to become committed volunteers, customers and advocates of the investment project if they themselves have something at stake.
Of course - we hope that members will be regarding the investment as a long-term contribution to the community but their money is not gone - it will be there doing good as long as it is in place.

No.
The Community Benefit Society is a limited liability entity.
You will never be personally responsible to fund the pub or any of its business.
Your exposure is limited to the amount you invest by buying shares.