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Pub to stay in hands of community

Kate Justicein Yarpole
News imageThe Bell A black and white framed building is set back off the road, there is a pathway approaching it and some black safety railings run alongside. In the forefront, there is a blackboard advertising cold drinks and a large pub sign on a pole.The Bell
The Bell at Yarpole is owned by a consortium of more than 250 locals

A village pub looks set to continue to be owned and operated by its local community after deciding against handing over the reins to a tenant.

The Bell at Yarpole in Herefordshire was bought by 262 individuals who clubbed together in 2018. It is run mostly by volunteers, with just a handful of paid staff.

But when head chef Michael Collis said he was heading off to pastures new, the committee thought it might be time to let someone else take on the venue.

"We needed to make a decision about what direction to go in," said committee chair Julian Stokes, who confirmed things had since settled down to a version of the status quo.

News imageA man with grey hair and a grey beard is wearing a checked shirt, with a black jumper and a maroon apron. He is inside an historic room that is black and white timber framed. Behind him on the wall is a darts board.
Julian Stokes is the chairman of the Mortimer Community Benefit Society, the group that owns The Bell at Yarpole

Stokes explained: "We reached a bit of a crossroads because Mike, our chef, who joined us at the beginning of our adventure decided to set up on his own.

"We initially thought that we might perhaps start looking for a tenant... But in actual fact we've succeeded in finding a chef who is going to start once Mike leaves... so our plan now is to continue as we are and to see how things pan out.

"If they work and we're doing well, we're not going to change. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Outgoing chef Collis said it had been "absolutely brilliant" to be able to turn what was three attempted tenancies into a £200,000 per year turnover in the last two years.

News imageA man with dark grey hair smiles at the camera
Michael Collis has helped turn the fortunes of The Bell at Yarpole around and now hopes to do the same at The Crown Inn at Newcastle-on-Clun

"We started from absolutely nothing with no kitchen, with no trade." Collis said.

"Community pubs [are about what] pubs used to be - about the community, just like churches... community-run," he added. "As far as I'm concerned is better than any other pub."

Collis will now be working with a similar venture in Shropshire, The Crown Inn at Newcastle-on-Clun, where he hopes to do exactly what he achieved in Yarpole.

As for the new era at The Bell, Stokes confirmed: "The new chef is called Alex Marston and he's from Ludlow. He's got some nice ideas about changing the menu and doing things... we got taken up in the enthusiasm of that."

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