Plans to buy and reopen a “historic” Wiltshire pub are “well on the way” to becoming reality after a sale was agreed.
The Ivy Inn at Heddington, between Calne and Devizes, closed its doors in 2024 after being put up for sale by Wadworth Brewery.
This sparked a community campaign to save the beloved venue, which has been a feature of the village since the 17th century.
The Friends of The Ivy group has now agreed a deal to buy the property from Wadworth so it can reopen it as a pub and community hub.
For this sale to go through, the group needs to raise at least £350,000 to cover the purchase cost as well as insurance and basic renovation work.
Once this target has been hit and the community knows it can buy the pub, the Friends will begin applying for extra funds via grants, donations, and loans.
Over £200,000 has already been pledged, and the group’s ultimate aim is to raise £800,000 via a scheme selling shares in the venture.
This would pay for a full revamp, including redesigning and redecorating the interior, extending the kitchen and toilets, upgrading the bar, better accommodation for the pub manager, and improved energy efficiency, including a wood-burning stove.
The share offer opened on Monday, September 22, and financial help has come from as far away as Kent, Dorset, and Germany.
It will close on October 31, and during that time, people can buy shares ranging from £100 to £20,000.
Every shareholder will become a member of the Community Benefit Society and can vote on the matters affecting the pub.
A Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme has also been set up, under which people who invest £10,000 or more will get a tax bill reduction worth 50 per cent of their investment the same year.
The Friends say this scheme has been popular and are urging people to invest before missing out.
If the sale goes through, The Friends hope to make the pub the “heartbeat” of the village and surrounding areas once again.
As well as being a pub, the building will also be used as a community hub, cafe, and tourist destination.
It has promised to serve locally sourced, sustainable food and drink under the motto Real Ales, Real Community, Real Wiltshire.
The Friends are also considering creating a farm shop on the site.
This facility would see all the produce kept in a giant refrigerated vending machine in a purpose-built wooden cabin.
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It would sell sausages, bacon, bread, cheese, and other essentials so that villagers wouldn’t have to travel by car to their nearest shops.
Chairman and retired GP Dr Paul Moyle-Harris said: “This is an emotional more than a financial investment to save a unique part of British heritage.
“The first timber frames for The Ivy were being put up at about the same time the keel was being laid for the Mayflower around 1600 – that’s 20 years before the ship took the first pilgrims to what became the USA.
“The Ivy is an iconic, historic inn, an integral part of Wiltshire’s heritage and culture, so we must do all we can to save it and everyone can now play an important part in making that happen.
“The Ivy used to be a destination pub with people travelling from miles around for the fine quality of its food and ales.
“We are absolutely determined to ensure The Ivy regains that formidable reputation and are committed to making it the quintessential English pub for the 21st century.”
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