Newbury MP Lee Dillon visits Hungerford’s Tally Ho - a community pub success story
A COMMUNITY pub success story has attracted attention from business leaders.
And so, Newbury MP Lee Dillon recently joined David Lydiat from Plunkett UK, a national charity which supports rural businesses, in a fact-finding mission to The Tally Ho in Hungerford Newtown.
There, they chatted to directors of the community pub company about the challenges facing the hospitality sector and ways in which the Government might help.
The meeting was arranged by Mr Lydiat, head of external affairs at Plunkett UK.
Afterwards, one of the pub company directors, Paula Loud, said “The Tally Ho is the only community pub in Lee’s constituency and he had a real understanding of the challenges, having family involved in the pub trade.
“He also recognised the importance of pubs to their local community as social hubs.
“The Tally Ho has had great success with a range of regular events including quiz nights, music nights, a monthly book club and the ever-popular community suppers.”
She added: “Both Lee and David were impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the team and the commitment of volunteers.
“They both committed to help the Tally Ho continue to thrive by lobbying in Parliament, finding potential sources of grants for capital projects – and, of course, by recommending the Tally Ho to friends and family.”
The pub is hailed as a community success story and its recent history has provided an encouraging blueprint for others aiming to buy their local to save it from would-be developers.
Hungerford Newtown residents were dismayed when, in 2012, the ‘Tally’ was sold by brewing giant Wadworth.
The buyer sought planning permission to convert it into a terrace of three three-bedroom homes.
However, planning permission was refused.
A convoluted battle followed, but villagers, backed by the West Berkshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and then Newbury MP Richard Benyon, prevailed, eventually creating a company which bought the building back.
The pub has since gone on to not only survive but to thrive and win awards.
