“We have decided to stop the rot” - Campaign group’s bid to save Caldedale pub from closure

The Pellon Community Organisation Ltd have the support of the Websters brand to create the first carbon neutral pub in Halifax.

The Fountain Head Inn was built in 1813 and owned by Samuel Webster’s father James. Samuel took the name Fountain Head Brewery to the new brewing site in Ovenden Wood until he formed Samuel Websters and Son in 1838.

The plans, supported by The Plunkett Foundation and Key Fund, include redesigning the pub  into a community owned building which would provide a community café, diner, function area with a real ale craft bar, and a games room, as well as disabled toilets and wheelchair access.

The group is also hoping to hold regular events such as murder mystery evenings, Tudor banquets and local events like The Pellon Peloton and Pellon Gala.

It is intended that the use of green technologies will allow the building to generate its own power, with six charging points for electric cars.

Richard Coulson, from the group, said: “The group came together as a result of the present owners of the building and land putting them up for sale.

“The tenants and many of its customers, apart from providing a safe sociable venue for people to meet, relax and converse in, have been for some time involved in outreach programmes in Halifax. They have been distributing food, helping people with benefits applications, creating free lunches for schoolchildren and donations to the needy.

“We believe that a well run pub provides a real social and cultural service to the community. It helps to generate community identity and pride in the area.

“With the loss of so many pubs in the last few years we have decided to stop the rot and not only stop this one from closing but to expand both its inhouse services and the community benefits it can provide.

“The main group leading the purchase and development of the pub consist of a management committee of six people but there are a high proportion of its customers committed as volunteers and supporters of the group and this venture going forward.

“The pub is so important not only for the community asset described but also historically being the birthplace of Samuel Webster and the first place that Websters ales were produced. It is a building with a true heritage for Halifax and the brewing industry and deserves to be preserved as a functioning example of what a pub should be.

“We are registered as a Community Organisation company with a company memorandum defining how it will be run for the benefit of the community.

“We will shortly be issuing a share offer and membership scheme and we expect from our initial survey will results will deliver in between two and 300 shareholders with one member one vote. An organisation that is truly geared to providing the services its customers and locals want. It will also be asset locked to ensure that the communities investment will remain with the community.

“We would welcome discussing our plans with anyone who would like to be involved either as volunteers or as members of the Management Committee. We are particularly interested in any people or organisations who would like to be financially involved in our enterprise as the more volunteers we have the more we can put back into the community.”

Further interest can be discussed through Richard Coulson [email protected], visiting www.fountaincc.btck.co.uk or through the group’s Facebook site, Pellon support and community group.