Community Rallies to Save The Jackson Stops: A Call for Stretton's Support
The Jackson Stops Country Inn, a cornerstone of the Stretton community, faces an uncertain future, but residents are galvanising to bring it back as a community-run pub. The pub, which abruptly closed its doors in January and has since been on the market, has been designated an "Asset of Community Value." This crucial classification provides the community with the opportunity to take ownership and prevent the building from being sold for a change of use.
While an ideal scenario would see a private buyer re-open The Inn, no such solution has materialised, prompting local residents to explore the possibility of a community-led venture. This ambitious undertaking, though challenging, has a successful precedent, with over 150 similar pubs across the UK saved by the very communities they serve.
To gauge local interest and gather vital input, a short survey has been circulated amongst residents of Stretton and surrounding areas, as well as past patrons of The Jackson Stops. The survey aims to explore the community's appetite for a co-operative pub model and to envision what such an establishment might look like.
Re-opening The Jackson Stops as a community-run pub will require significant energy, resources, and, crucially, funding. Various avenues for financial support are being considered, including bursaries, grants, crowdfunding, raising share capital, and loans. The community also plans to assess the viability of maintaining the current model of fine restaurant dining alongside a traditional local pub offering.
A public meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, July 16th at 6:00 PM in the Community Hub (St Nicholas Church). All interested community members are warmly invited to attend. This meeting will provide an update on the progress made so far, outline the options available to the community, and facilitate the election of a committee to steer the project forward.
