'Cracking' pub saved by locals reopens for Christmas

A community-owned pub is opening for the first time since 2022 after villagers rallied round.

The Fox Inn, in Ryton, Shropshire, was bought by the community in March 2025 following an extensive fundraising campaign.

The 17th century inn has since had "a full restoration", manager Steve Lee said, and started opening its doors to thirsty punters.

Mr Lee added that some customers have been "drinking in the pub for 40 years" and is expecting reactions to be "emotional".

The villagers received £300,000 from the government to help them achieve their goal and managed to raise an extra £200,000 by selling shares to their community.

"The building was in quite a bad way," Mr Lee said, adding that during its three-year closure it "hadn't been touched."

To get to the point of reopening, "the whole community has got together, labourers, tradesmen, volunteers, and we've worked for the last year," he added.

The pub has had a gradual reopening. Mr Lee said: "We opened the doors on Friday at 12pm and we've not been empty since."

The pub has "gone beyond expectations," the manager said.

"It looks absolutely cracking - it's just lovely."

Being open during the festive period has been "emotional every day," with locals gathering there to share stories of the pub's history.

"Christmas Day is going to be huge, I think absolutely mega," Mr Lee added.

Looking towards the new year, the Fox Inn is due to have a kitchen installed in January with food service starting in February.

"Throughout the year we'll be doing some more work to the front of the property," Mr Lee said.

There is "still a lot to do," Mr Lee admitted, but said the pub is "in good shape."

"We're already getting people coming in and being like 'yeah, this is my new local.'"

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