Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society which own The Yew Tree for the community has secured loan financing from Co-operative & Community Finance. The  pub was brought under community ownership in 2017.

In recent years, Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society – the locally owned committee overseeing the pub – has helped lead a number of refurbishments to the pub, including the installation of double glazing, upgraded drainage, extensions to the patio area, accessibility features, and more. It also continues to support community events and activities at the pub, such as a walking group, a monthly quiz, community noticeboard and a bridge club.

To support its growth as a financial asset for the community, the Yew Tree has secured the loan from CCF, which says it will enable “withdrawal of some shareholder investment to help improve the mix of debt and equity”.

Tim Coomer, Business Development Manager at CCF, said: “As the community pub sector becomes more established, we are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from pioneer groups and those supported through the original More than a Pub project.’

Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society Management Committee added: “The Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society is grateful to Co-operative & Community Finance  for supporting us through the process of restructuring our balance sheet.

“They showed a genuine interest in, and understanding of the issues we were facing and guided us through the application process. We are now on a more secure and stable footing going forward due to the loan package provided.”

The loan follows a period of change for the tenant who manages The Yew Tree on behalf of the Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society. The Happy Wolf Pub Company Ltd went into liquidation earlier this year, owing over £390,000 to HMRC alone. The business then restructured and reopened under the company name, The Wolf Cub Collective Ltd.