The Corner Cupboard, a cherished pub in Winchcombe, Cotswolds, closed its doors earlier this week due to financial challenges. Despite the disappointment, a determined group of locals has swiftly launched a campaign to save the pub by purchasing and operating it as a community venture.
Reopened in July 2025 under new management, The Corner Cupboard had previously shuttered in August 2024. Last week, the current landlord announced on Facebook that ongoing financial losses and overwhelming operating costs made continued business impossible, drawing an outpouring of support from patrons and community members.
Leading the rescue effort, local property expert Jeff Davies, alongside former town councillor Judith Petchey and her husband Tim, issued a joint statement appealing for community backing. They emphasize the pub’s importance, noting its role as a social hub, especially for pensioners’ coffee mornings and other gatherings.
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Since the closure, the trio has met with the former landlord, Luke, to discuss potential solutions and recently approached Stonegate Group—the management company owning the building—to propose community ownership. Although negotiations are in early stages, they have outlined a plan that requires raising approximately £50,000. This sum would cover an initial deposit, a month’s rent, and wages for a bar manager.
Integral to the strategy is the potential income from apartments above the pub, which have been redecorated and are ideal for holiday or long-term lets. Revenue from these units could generate between £3,500 and £5,000 monthly, helping sustain the community ownership model.
The organizers stress that financial support alone isn’t enough; volunteers will be crucial for running the pub effectively. Tasks such as bar staffing, gardening, and general maintenance will require community involvement to keep the pub vibrant and welcoming.
While many details remain to be finalized, Jeff, Judith, and Tim invite ideas and expressions of interest from residents keen to contribute time or resources. “We don’t want to see this vital local gathering place disappear,” Jeff said. “It means so much to our community.”