Villagers backed by former Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley have raised enough funds to take over their local pub.
The Ashendon Community Pub Society has raised £549,494 to save its village pub, the Hundred of Ashendon, as a community asset near the Oxfordshire border.
The gastropub had been closed having previously appeared in the Michelin guide before the efforts of the community as well as support coming from places as far as the USA and Japan.
Mr Hadley also supported the efforts with the 80s star living in Thame in Oxfordshire.
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A fundraising initiative was launched earlier this year and the total represents £300,000 in Community Ownership government funding, plus £249,494 through a community share offer and donations.
Luke Jamieson, chairman of The Ashendon Community Pub Society, said: “This achievement is a testament to the collective spirit and determination of our local population to preserve its local community, maintain inter-village connectivity, and support UK village pubs.
A sale price for the pub has been agreed at £420,000.
While the share offer surpassed its minimum target, the society continues to fundraise through donations, and sponsorships to reach its optimum target of a further £50,000 to fund essential refurbishments.
The village is now on the hunt for tenants to restore the pub to a vibrant community hub and a welcoming destination for visitors.
Residents have been thrilled by the support from outside the village with 72 per cent of the total community share value coming from Ashendon residents.
But 54 per cent of share applications came from outside Ashendon, including the USA, Europe, and Japan.
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Society organisers have thanked the Plunkett Foundation for helping them to secure their Community Ownership Grant and for providing practical advice.
The pub closed in November 2021, and without it, residents of Ashendon and its surrounding villages felt disconnected.
There is no shop, café or school in the village and the bus service is very limited with only one bus twice a week. Even fast-food delivery services are not available.
A Community Benefit Society is a legal organisation registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. Investments are primarily social value investments.
The Ashendon Community Pub Society, grounded in an inclusive community-focused vision for the pub, is welcoming anyone over the age of 18 to buy shares with a minimum investment of only £100.
Shares can also be bought as gifts or on behalf on children.
For many years Mr Hadley was the lead singer of eighties band Spandau Ballet and they enjoyed chart success with hits including True, Gold and Only When You Leave. The group had eight UK top 10 albums and 10 UK top 10 hits.
Mr Hadley did end up leaving the group in 2017 and is not expected to rejoin them.
The Hundred of Ashendon is in Ashendon village in Buckingshamshire, close to the Oxfordshire border.
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