Campaign to save Oxfordshire village pub has failed

The Fox Inn in Middle Barton, West Oxfordshire, is a Grade II listed 18th century pub.

Over the last decade, the pub has often been closed for significant periods of time.

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At the end of June last year, the owner put the Fox on the market for £495,900 and it has been closed ever since.

Villagers successfully applied for ACV (Asset of Community Value) status for The Fox in 2021, last year decided to raise funds to bid for the pub.

But the community effort has not succeeded, and Richard Brown MBE on behalf of The Bartons Community Benefit Society Ltd Committee, has told supporters of the Save Our Fox campaign that their money will now be refunded.

In a statement last month he said: "We supported a bid made by a group who share our vision. This bid was made back in February and was never even considered by Stonegate (the owner).

"Although their offer has formally expired, this group remain in contact with the agent are still keen on working with us to save the Fox."

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He added that the campaign group would try to ensure the building is not allowed to deteriorate.

Mr Brown said: "The Fox remains empty and is still on the market. Having survived a winter, we were alarmed that a section of the kitchen ceiling had collapsed. We now understand this was due to a burst pipe running inside the ceiling, not a failure of the roof itself. The pipe and ceiling have been repaired.

"The Fox is a Grade II listed building, with an Asset of Community Value Order on it. Stonegate are well aware they have a legal duty to repair and maintain the building. They know we are watching the situation very closely."

Investments in the Crowdfunder appeal are now being refunded in full.

But Mr Brown said in the statement that campaigners would not give up.

He added: "We are very grateful and deeply moved by the levels of passion and support we received from you, our community.

"We love the Fox as much as you do and will continue to do everything we can to see it reopen as a community pub.

"The announcement of a general election has brought uncertainty to our planned application for government funding. We will be monitoring the situation very closely and will be calling on your support again."

Former EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite is understood to be a supporter of the bid to save the pub.

Dave Richardson, of the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), said: "It's disappointing that this community buy-out isn't going ahead, but apart from needing to raise the money there's an awful lot of hard work to be done on an ongoing and voluntary basis for the people on the community committee.

"But the community-run model is still viable, as the full reopening of the White Horse at Stonesfield, due this summer, will prove. There's plenty of advice on CAMRA's national website, and we can put people in touch with local groups who have made a success of doing it."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.