Hebden Bridge Web

Wednesday, 14 February 2024

Fox and Goose: 10 years as a community owned pub

Hebden Bridge's award-winning original community-owned pub is about to celebrate its 10th birthday with a festival of events.

West Yorkshire's first ever community-owned pub is hosting a long weekend of fun festivities to mark 10 years since its customers successfully joined together to secure its future.

Exciting new commemorative beers will come later this year.

The pub was saved in March 2014 when a group of regulars raised £130,000 to buy and repair the much-loved local, whose future came under threat because of the landlady's deteriorating health. The community share offer to buy the traditional pub attracted investment from 250 people including pub regulars, local investors and pub enthusiasts all over the country.

Later share offers in 2017, 2018 and 2019 increased its ownership to almost 300 members, while a current, open share offer is growing membership even further.

Fox Friends members at the 2012 public meeting at the Fox and Goose

The Fox & Goose has thrived under community ownership since its rescue, winning new support from those who cherish its warm welcome, wide range of customers, and more traditional surroundings and atmosphere: an increasingly rare alternative to the self-conscious or impersonal branded feel of many modern-day venues.

The pub is winning awards too – like CAMRA Halifax and Calderdale pub of the Year in 2019 and 2022 – earning praise for its knowledgeable staff, the quality and diversity of its ales and beers, its eclectic programme of music and events and a new, much-loved converted outdoor space.

Aug 2013: Glasses are raised as co-operative pub share offer hits its target

The Fox & Goose Manager, Hannah Thurman said, "The Fox & Goose team is excited to be celebrating the contribution of Fox and Goose members, staff, customers and suppliers to the success of the pub over the last ten years. The 10th birthday is a chance to say 'thank you' to the community who together saved the pub and to welcome new members and customers."

Those wishing to join the 10th birthday celebrations can keep up-to-date by visiting the Fox and Goose website.

The Fox & Goose employs 13 staff who are all paid The Living Wage Foundation's Real Living Wage as a minimum.

The purchase of the Fox & Goose took place in March 2014. At the time it was Yorkshire's first co-operative pub and one of only 43 community-owned pubs in the UK. That number has now risen to over 150. More background to the community ownership for the pub can be found here.

The Fox & Goose Society Chair, Hannah Nadim said, "Over the past ten years the Fox & Goose has grown its reputation as a friendly, co-operative, sustainable pub, known for its quality and range of beers and drinks. We are delighted that our much-loved pub can be run for the benefit of the community, and we hope the community will join us to celebrate."