When the last tenants of their village pub closed the doors in December 2022, the residents of Hinstock were determined to save it.
The Falcon Inn has been serving the residents and visitors on Wood Lane in the village for almost 200 years and is the last remaining public house in the village.
After a public meeting in the Memorial Hall in February 2023, an unincorporated community group was formed by a large number of the parish’s households.
• Successfully applied to have The Falcon Inn listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) by Shropshire Council.
• Successfully applied to the Plunkett Foundation for support and advice with the campaign to take the pub into community management https://plunkett.co.uk/support-for-early-stages/
• Visited a number of other community owned or managed businesses, to learn about their journeys and accept no end of generous and useful advice.
• Communicated with the owner regarding the possible lease or purchase of The Falcon Inn.
• Explored potential funding options, including grants, donations and shareholding.
• Resolved to register The Falcon Inn Community Pub Limited as a Community Benefit Society (CBS).
• Elected officers of the CBS, to be decided by the membership in due course, to progress the process of registration and other tasks required.
• Enrolled The Falcon (Hinstock) as a member of the Plunkett Foundation, thanks to generous donations from Working Group members.
• Created an information leaflet and distributed it to Hinstock residences.
• Engaged with the community via email and social media, to provide timely progress reports and invite suggestions and questions.
• Registered a new website and email domain, to be generously hosted by a local business.
• Received many other generous offers of professional and practical assistance, all of which are expected to be taken up in time.