After a three-year grassroots battle, a North Yorkshire village has successfully saved its 200-year-old local pub from closure. The Black Lion in Skelton-on-Ure is now community owned and fully refurbished, thanks to the tireless work of local residents, volunteers, and supporters.

What they did

When the Black Lion was closed in November 2019, locals came together to form a committee and launch a community ownership campaign. They secured Asset of Community Value status in 2022, raised £241,000 through community shareholder funding, and successfully matched this with a grant from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund. This enabled them to purchase the pub in March 2024.

Since then, the building has undergone a full refurbishment, including the transformation of part of the premises into a community café and village hub, which opened as Phase One of the redevelopment in late 2023.

The community reaction

Local support has been overwhelming, with thousands of volunteer hours donated to the cause. The newly opened community café has become a popular spot for locals, cyclists, walkers and visitors to nearby Newby Hall.

Impact

The project has delivered:

• • A fully refurbished bar and new cellar serving traditional and modern alesThe creation of a community café for locals, cyclists, walkers, and tourists visiting nearby Newby HallOngoing landscaping, which will include:
    • A large outdoor event spaceA sunken beer gardenA five-pitch touring caravan siteA wildlife area to enhance biodiversity
  All of this has been achieved through thousands of volunteer hours, reflecting the passion and commitment of the local community.

Summary

The Black Lion is not just a pub, it’s a powerful symbol of perseverance, pride and community spirit. The final phase is now underway: finding a tenant to lease the pub, which will remain a free house. It’s a chance to be part of a remarkable story that proves what’s possible when communities pull together.

This good news story is brought to you by PubAid’s Positive PUBlicity Hub