About the Save the Fox & Hounds Pub Campaign

The work of the Campaign Committee has been focused on getting the pub open for all of us again so that it can, once again, be our village community social hub and successful destination pub. We have been running the Campaign since the pub closed back in 2016, objecting to planning proposals, organising Pop Up Pub events (we have raised over £13,000), keeping contact with village and wider community and liaising with the local District and Parish Councils. Read more on Our Story So Far.

Campaign Committee Members

James Van Helden
Graham Roberts
Ann McKenna
Geoff Shuttleworth
Sarah Constable

FAQs

  • If you have views you want to share, have suggestions for possible purchasers of the Fox and Hounds or would like to offer assistance in any way, we would love to hear from you on: Email: campaign@savethefoxandhounds.org.uk

  • So far this Campaign has been self-funding – i.e. the Campaign team have raised money from our Pop up Pubs, thanks to all our supporters, and have spent some of this to get occasional legal and planning advice. If the Planning Committee grants planning permission, we will raise money for a Judicial Review which has powers to reverse the decision.

  • Visit the Support Us page to sign up to our newsletters. We will keep you posted about the Campaign and the Pop up Pubs.

  • We are supported by the Parish Council, our local councillor, Sarah Whalley-Hoggins, CAMRA and CPRE who have all written objection letters which are on Stratford District Council E-planning website

  • 1. The Fox and Hounds has a history of being a successful destination pub. One of the past owners marketed it professionally to people throughout the Cotswolds, Birmingham, and the Midlands. Many objectors said the current owners did not promote the pub and did not operate it well, thus losing its reputation as a destination pub.

    2. There are several destination pubs of a similar size in the area that are successful and continue to be enjoyed by regular patrons.

  • The owners have set their price at £550,000 which is above the market rate and unrealistic. They have had offers to buy the pub at and above SDC’s own valuation figures – i.e. between £290,000 and £350,000. The owners have refused these offers – and have therefore removed the possibility of the pub being sold to potential purchasers who clearly deemed it viable at a realistic price.

  • These events are enjoyed by many regulars who used the Fox and Hounds in the past, plus new neighbours and others from surrounding areas. It is a great opportunity to catch up on news – just as would have happened in the pub. Over 100 people often attend these events, demonstrating the strong support to reopen the pub and the socially and economic benefits of the pub as a community hub. All profits from the drinks sold and food served at Pop-ups go towards the Campaign.