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Wiltshire villagers agree purchase of their local pub – subject to a community vote

Jamie JonesOctober 16, 20260 Comment0

A VILLAGE campaign to save the local pub has reached a major milestone – to buy the property itself.

The Save The Forester campaign has seen villagers in the Donheads come together in a bid to purchase and run the pub, in Donhead St Andrew, as a community-owned venue.

Now, “after many months of determined negotiation”, the Donheads’ Community Benefit Society (DCBS) said it has reached agreement with the current owners to purchase The Forester for £412,500, subject to finalising the contract terms.

“This is a terrific result for the community, especially given that the original asking price was £650,000 reduced to £550,000 before being further reduced to £445,000 last month,” a spokesperson said.

Now, the group is set to hold a public meeting at St Andrew’s Church, in Donhead St Andrew, from 10am on October 31, where the sale will be discussed and voted on.

“We will share a full update, explain the process ahead, present the Business Plan and The Share Offer Document and answer your questions about the purchase and the future of The Forester,” the spokesperson went on.

“We will then ask you to show your support by taking a vote. If the vote is in support of the Management Commitee’s recommendation, we will instruct our solicitors to proceed with the purchase and distribute the Share Offer Document so that we can convert your generous pledges into shares thus raising the funds necessary to purchase and restore The Forester.

“Your support has brought us this far, and it will be vital as we move from agreement to action.”

People are being urged to attend the meeting and take part in “this exciting community moment”.

Pledges are also still being accepted to the fundraiser, as the group said it is “closer than ever to bringing The Forester into community ownership”.