More than 100 people attended a special event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hesket Newmarket’s Old Crown Inn becoming England’s first registered co-operatively owned pub.
One of them was mountaineering legend Sir Chris Bonington, who is himself a shareholder.
He said that to have the Crown as a co-operative owned by the community was something “very special”.
The pub is run on a day-to-day basis by landlady Helen Mumberson and landlord Simon Robson, whose father, Robert, was a former owner of the pub.
“It is the community’s living room. It is very community based,” said Simon.
Much of the pub’s appeal lies in its traditional nature and that was never going to change, he said.
“It is never going to be modernised. It has got to stay as it is and the committee and the shareholders are there to ensure that.”
In addition, the pub has a unique offering in that it stocks five real ales which are all produced by the nearby Hesket Newmarket Brewery, which is a separate community co-operative.
“We are the shop window for their beer,” said 56-year-old Simon. At the 20th anniversay celebration, Helen, aged 55, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure for myself and Simon to be given a chance to run the pub.”
There were also speeches from Julian Ross, chairman of the Old Crown co-operative committee, and Peter Krugmann, a German shareholder who travelled over especially for the celebration.
The co-operative was set up to safeguard the long-term future of the pub and protect its identity. Major highlights of the past two decades have included two visits by King Charles III, when he was the Prince of Wales, in 2004 and 2007 – the first of which was in support of the pub is the hub initiative.
The Old Crown is the only pub in the village of Hesket Newmarket and dates back to the 18th century.
The Old Crown Co-operative was officially registered as a Community Industrial and Provident Society in March 2003, and the purchase was completed on 21 August that year, securing its future as a vital amenity for the village and wider community.
The special link which exists between the Old Crown Inn and Hesket Newmarket Brewery has been safeguarded, so that regular visitors can sleep sound in the knowledge that their favourite pint will still be waiting for them whenever they call in.
Mr Ross, who led the bid by customers to take ownership of the pub, said: “People say they don’t care about making a return on their investment. They want to preserve something that is important for the community.
“This is a cosy, friendly pub, which you can go into whether you’re wearing your wellies, walking boots or a suit, and you won’t come out without having spoken to someone.
“Regulars and visitors alike always find a warm welcome, good home-cooked food, a friendly smile and a superb range of real ales.”
