Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Old Town fights to save its pub: the Hare and Hounds
The folk up in Old Town are in fighting mode to save their beloved pub.
The Hare and Hounds Inn has been sold from under the community's feet by Timothy Taylors brewery to property developers who have bought it at a low price. Although pubs are valued community assets, the price they fetch is less than if they were residences. The buyers have now applied to Calderdale Council for a change of use to private residence. This will enable them to make a substantial killing at the expense of the community.
This has to stop! It is a sorry scandal that every year many viable and wanted pubs are closed. Pubs like the Hare and Hounds, which has served the local community for generations - pubs that could and should continue to contribute to community life and the local economy.
Hare and Hounds - Photo:HebWeb
Wadsworth Community Assets (WACA) is an organisation set up to save community assets and it has turned its attention to saving it's iconic and only pub, the very heart of the village.
WACA have organised a community consultation and so far have received over 300 statements of support in their efforts to register the pub as a Valued Community Asset (ACV) and to challenge the Change of Use.
The group have organised two public meetings on Friday 23rd January at 3pm and 7pm at the Wadsworth Community Centre where they will be answering questions and advising the community on how they can help.
WACA is pleading with Calderdale Council planning department not to rubberstamp this application on the erroneous grounds that the pub is unviable. Councils often fall for claims that pubs are 'unviable' by developers and thereby deny communities, other companies and individuals the chance to buy or run a pub, ignoring community evidence that the pub can have a successful future. This goes directly against national and local policy guidelines:-
Kate Dearden, Minister Employment Rights and Consumer Protection, has said, "Rural pubs are hubs of their communities and this government wants to support these vital community assets, creating jobs, supporting local economies and providing residents with a place to socialise and come together."
And from Calderdale's own Local Plan: "Community facilities, such as public houses, village/ community halls, nurseries and places of worship all contribute to the vitality and vibrancy of settlements, particularly in rural areas. The continued reduction in the number of local pubs, shops and services is of particular concern and the Council will seek to ensure the retention of such facilities wherever possible to ensure the continued vibrancy of settlements and wellbeing of residents."
The Hare and Hounds is a very special pub. It has a 200 year old history going back to 1789 when it was a stop on the pack horse trail from Halifax to Burnley. It is in an idyllic location and is a favourite with fell runners, hikers and bikers from near and far.
As part of their research WACA has consulted a successful local publican who has provided tangible figures to show that the particular advantages the Hare and Hound possesses means it is not just viable, but as an untied pub it would be predicted to be very profitable.
The WACA group has recently been sprinkled with a little bit of celebrity star dust. James May and Anthony Armstrong visited the Hare and Hounds last year as part of Channel 4's programme Perfect Pub Walks. James has responded to WACA's consultation saying 'Yes' to the Asset of community Value (ACV) and comments, "I've been there and its jigging" adding the warning "Pubs never come back".
WACA have received lots of very complimentary and encouraging comments about the pub in their consultation and on social media. Many comments refer back to the previous tenants Dave and Jeanette Hill who ran the pub for 19 years:-
"As a resident of old town for almost ten years until I had to move away during lockdown in 2020, the pub was a massive part of the community. Made lots of friends there. New Year's Eve parties with the pea shooters at midnight were legendary, great overspill accommodation for visiting friends and family in the b&b rooms. I had my late husband's funeral wake there, we had his retirement party there, he played there with his band mates a couple of times, we could take our dogs in for a quick pint after dog walks even when covered in mud, fires always burning in winter for fab homemade pie dinners. It always felt like a hub of the community to me. It also provided a gallery for local artists with the pictures on display in the pub for sale, I bought a couple."
When Dave and Jeanette left they were much missed as demonstrated here on the Hebweb Forum in October 2020: Mark H wrote: "I'm sure I won't be alone in saying thank you to Jeanette and Dave Hill as they leave the Hare and Hounds this weekend.
"For most of the last 19 years they have raised a family, dogs, chickens, pigs and the spirits of the community. The pub has been a favourite of many of us, drawn by Dave's hilarious jokes and Jeanette's unfailing welcome.
"Some of the best pub food you'll find, and splendid beer. Quiz nights, live bands and legendary New Year's Eve parties. Pub walks, charity events and fell races have all brought a focus to life in Old Town and wider Hebden.
"Good luck, Dave and Jeanette, and thanks."
James and Kelly, the tenants from 2020 to 2025, were unlucky to hit Covid which was a disastrous time for them to embark on a new business. In addition, many of our respondents describe a change in the culture of the pub when they took over, inferring they were not clued up regarding what was required by the local community:-
"Was a regular here when I lived up in Old Town. It was brilliant when Dave and Jeanette had it then it changed hands and became too expensive, soulless and generally unpleasant. If any half-decent landlord took it on I'd be back in a shot even though I don't live close by anymore"
Through our research, WACA has learned that there are many reasons why pubs can be described as not viable and unfortunately councils often allow change of use because they fall for such claims. WACA wants Calderdale Council to look behind the unviability claim made by the new owners who have a vested interest in promoting this fallacy.
As property developers they have seen an opportunity to buy a building which is a pub with land for £395K, a property which is actually worth in the region of £1m. This is outright profiteering and rides roughshod over community wishes which is immoral. WACA is hopeful that Calderdale Council will not condone such behaviour and will agree that with community support the Hare and Hounds has a clear and viable future as a thriving pub.
The closing date for commenting on the council's planning portal. is 3rd February.
More info
- WACA website
- WACA on Facebook
- Calderdale Planning section - to comment on the request for Change Of Use from a public house to a private residence, go to this page and enter 25/01249 in the search box. Until 3 Feb.
- Community consultation
Previously, on the HebWeb
- Save the Hare and Hounds (14 Dec 2025)
- HebWeb Forum (Oct 2020)
Thanks to WACA for this update