Friends of The Ivy
The Ivy Inn in Heddington, Wiltshire, has been put up for sale by its current owners Wadworth Brewery. Friends of The Ivy is a Community Benefit Society that has been formed to try and buy the pub on behalf of the village and run it for the benefit of the community.
You will soon be able to invest in the Friends of The Ivy Community Benefit Society. Shares will cost £1 each and the minimum investment per person is 100 shares (£100). To make sure you get the full details of the community share offer when it is launched, please request the share prospectus now; this is a document that will explain how community shares work and how you can make your investment.
If you would like to follow progress, please sign up to stay updated. We are also always looking for volunteers to help with fundraising, so if you are able or if you would like more information then please get in touch via our contact form.
You can also join the Friends of The Ivy Facebook Group where you can meet other members.
Our Vision: The Ivy—A Community Hub
As a community-run business, the management committee would expand on the pub’s traditional role and provide a space for a wider range of activities and services to meet the needs of Heddington and Stockley residents. In addition to remaining a pub, The Ivy would also become a local café!
The Ivy would host meet-ups such as parent and toddler groups, exercise classes, or coffee mornings.
The Ivy would also provide a space for other new or existing groups and services within the village, and there is already support from several existing organisations for such a venue. Examples include:
- Employment support groups (CV writing, job boards)
- Library or book exchange services
- Social assistance for elderly or isolated individuals
- Educational events (birdwatching, local history)
Another possibility being explored by Friends of The Ivy is a small-scale retail operation, such as a shop selling local produce and essentials. This would enhance the convenience of daily life in Heddington and create an additional function for The Ivy as a community resource.
Overall, the Community Hub would transform The Ivy into a multi-use space that addresses both social and practical needs. Of course, the success of this vision will depend on sustained local engagement and participation to ensure that it remains and attractive proposal to everyone in the village. If you have any ideas for how The Ivy may benefit the community, feel free to contact us.
Pledge Financial Support
It will greatly assist our fundraising efforts if we are able to demonstrate that we have firm pledges of financial support already in place.
If you believe that you will definitely contribute at least £100 to Friends of The Ivy (either via a community shares purchase or a donation), we would be very grateful if you would complete our Pledge Financial Support form and formally advise us of the amount of your pledge. Thank you.
