COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING 2025

Fighting for our pub buildings as Assets of Community Value and building community campaigning can save these vital facilities

Community Power

Local resident​s and supporters of The Anglers community pub raise the funds needed to save the last pub in the village along with its post office and cafe.

Community News

​Community fundraising and grassroots campaigning saves a vital community hub

The Anglers Rest lies in the centre of Bamford, a village at the heart of the most visited area of the Peak District National Park and close to the popular Bamford Edge. It was built as a staging inn in the 19th century, progressing to become a well-known dining establishment in the middle of the 20th century. However, its fortunes declined as it languished under the management of a pubco, with little investment and a succession of short-term tenants.

In 2013, the Anglers Rest was saved from closure by local people campaigning to rescue the premises from property developers and registering it as an asset of community value. The vital community space of pub, cafe and post office was set up as a Community Benefit Society, with a share offer that enabled 300 people from the rural Bamford community, along with lovers of this beautiful Peak District village, to purchase the building.

The BCS was successful in securing a range of funding including through LEADER, Power to Change, Cooperatives UK, the National Lottery Community Fund, East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, High Peak Borough Council and Groundwork. This, along with a huge volunteer team, provided the means to upgrade the building and site, including replacing the roof, improving the toilets and main bar, installing solar panels and electric car charging points, replacing the boiler, creating a community room and converting a small Annex to a successful holiday let.

In autumn 2023 the Anglers Rest celebrated its tenth anniversary as a community-owned and community-led social enterprise, an astonishing achievement for volunteers. However, like many hospitality venues Covid took its toll and the Society found itself again reaching out to its community and wider supporters through a Crowdfunding campaign to 'Save the Anglers and Keep the Lights on in the Village'. The generosity shown by so many people gave the Society the time it needed to find a tenant to turn around the fortunes of The Anglers

Happily, The Anglers is now under the highly competent management of Atlantik Inns, local people who run several pubs in the area and who are fully committed to our community aims and values. Community Power has achieved a healthy partnership between private and social enterprise, making sure Bamford retains a vital social and wellbeing space. 




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