Community Funding Total Confirmed – Thank You
We are very pleased to share the confirmed outcome of the community share offerand donation campaign to help secure the future of the Bell at Iden.
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Thank you to everyone who attended the launch of the community share offer at Iden Village Hall on Thursday 22 January. For those who were unable to attend, or who would like a recap, we have summarised below some of the questions raised during the meeting, together with the responses given.
Q&A summary
What happens if John Rogers does not choose to buy the pub within five years? If John does not exercise the option to purchase, nothing changes. The pub will continue to be owned by the Community Benefit Society and run by John Rogers as tenant.
Does the number of shares bought affect voting power?
No. Each shareholder has one vote, regardless of the number of shares held.
How does joint ownership of the freehold with Christopher Strangeways work in practice?
Christopher Strangeways will also be a shareholder and, like all other members, will have one vote. Decisions taken by the CBS may include matters such as development of the building or permitted activities, but the CBS will act as landlord only and will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the pub. This is similar to the ownership model used for the village shop.
What happens to shares and voting rights if a shareholder dies? Shareholders can nominate a beneficiary on the application form (also available on the website). If no nomination is made, the shares become part of the shareholder’s estate.
What happens to the rent paid to the CBS?
Any surplus income (after the statutory three-year period) will be used as decided by the committee, for example to pay interest to shareholders or to redeem shares.
What happens if the full amount needed is not raised within the three-week share offer period?
The share offer period can be extended, or the CBS may seek a loan.
What happens if the share offer is over-subscribed?
If more funds are raised than expected, the CBS will own a larger share of the freehold and Christopher Strangeways will contribute a smaller proportion to the purchase price.
If a loan is required, how would it be repaid?
Any loan would be repaid using rental income and donations, with the expectation that it could be cleared within a few years.
Tenant and refurbishment questions
Several questions related to the proposed tenant, John Rogers, and the investment required to reopen the pub.
• It was noted that the arrangement represents a good deal for John Rogers, which was acknowledged during the meeting.
• Gill Wood shared findings from her own research into other pubs previously run by John Rogers, reporting positive feedback from both customers and local residents.
• It was explained that refurbishing and running a village pub is expensive, and that the level of investment required would be difficult for the community to raise without a tenant willing to make a substantial financial commitment.
Questions were also raised about guarantees around investment and the possibility of
future resale. It was acknowledged that much of the arrangement relies on good faith and that, if the pub were ever sold in the future, it would likely be to another publican.
Practical matters
• The deadline referred to during the meeting applies to the share offer, not the purchase of the property itself.
• John Rogers intends to use the former stables as staff accommodation.
The community share offer is now open. Full details, including how to apply for shares or make a donation, are available on our website at https://bellatiden.com/. Further updates will be shared as the offer progresses.
© The Bell Inn Iden Community Limited 2025. All Rights Reserved. By Olli Hopkins