Hunworth Bell closure sees village raise £750,000 to buy pub

The Hunworth Bell, near Holt, has been closed since May following the departure of its landlords due to financial difficulties. 

The closure, and uncertainty about plans for the venue, has led to concern among some villagers for its future.

More than 140 people in the village have pledged to invest in the pub, which has been designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), and they have raised £750,000.

The Hunworth Bell has been facing financial difficulties and it closed in May (Image: AW PR) READ MORE: Ding dong over the Hunny Bell! Battle over future of award-winning rural pub

Among them is Adrian Springett, a local developer, who said he has had the pub, known locally as the Hunny Bell, independently valued at £500,000.

His offer to purchase the pub was rejected by owners Stody Estate.

Mr Springett said: “There’s no reason for the pub to be shut anymore. There are people who are very happy to invest in it. 

“The closure of the pub has had a serious effect on the village, on the locals. A lot of people used it as a point of contact. Now that’s been taken away.” 

READ MORE: Award-winning couple leaving north Norfolk pub after seven years

Previously, Charlie McNichol, one of the directors of Stody Estate, said the owners were "the first to value the social and community benefit of the Hunny Bell which is one of the reasons why we have always invested in it and subsidised it".

The estate is planning to hold onto the pub's larger food offering and add overnight guest accommodation.

More detailed proposals will be revealed in the autumn.

Karl Carter, chairman of Stody with Hunworth Parish Council, said he was "pleased" that North Norfolk District Council had approved their application to make the pub an ACV.

"It gives us some protection. It allows us to make a bid should the pub come on the market," he said.

'Losing money'

The Hunny Bell, as locals call it, stands on the village green and was formally called the Bluebell Inn. The building dates from the 18th century.

The most recent landlords, Ben and Sarah Handley, took on the lease in the summer of 2017. 

Under their stewardship, the pub quickly gained a strong reputation, including being named the runner-up in the GQ Food and Drink Awards 2018 for Best Pub in the UK. 

Since 2008, however, the venue has been run by three different sets of landlords. 

The "harsh reality", according to the owners, is that the pub, despite its accolades, was losing money. 

Over the years, The Hunny Bell has welcomed famous guests including Prince Harry who dropped by while working with charity Walking With The Wounded. 

The late John Hurt spent a number of months filming there when it was picked as the main setting for the comedy film ChickLit, which was later screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015.