Victory in 12-year bid to save Traveller's Rest at Skeeby

The once-thriving Travellers Rest in Skeeby, near Richmond, which has been closed for more than a decade, will finally open its doors again after the community successfully purchased the premises following years of failed negotiations.

The pub called time in 2008 and has stood empty ever since, following a planning battle involving its owner and Richmondshire District Council over its conversion into housing.

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The Skeeby Community Pub Society (SCPS) was formed to fight the change of use planning application and gather support for the purchase and renovation of the Travellers Rest as a village pub and community hub – run for the benefit of the residents of Skeeby and visitors to the area.

This week the group’s perseverance paid off when on Monday they were handed the keys to the building after the sale was completed by leading North East law firm Muckle LLP.

Under the ownership of the community, the Travellers Rest will be remodelled and fully fitted out ahead of its much-awaited reopening. Once open, the pub will sell ales from local brewers, good quality food using local suppliers where possible and provide a venue for traditional pub sports and games, community events and celebrations, music, and culture.

The group was permitted access for surveys in the run up to the completion of the sale which has allowed it to progress refurbishment plans.

Supporters of the Skeeby community pub scheme celebrate the purchase of The Traveller's Rest

Structural and condition surveys have been carried out, and plans drawn up for heating, plumbing, furniture, kitchen, electrical and compliance works.

The group is also looking to source repurposed and bespoke fixtures and fittings for the pub, along with recruiting local tradespeople.

SCPS now owns the land and buildings and is looking to agree a lease with a tenant to run the licensed business.

To date, the group has sold more than £200,000 of shares to 160 people, mostly locals including Richmond MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, but also people from as far away as Quebec, Canada, Sydney, Australia and California, USA.

The group has also benefited from Richmondshire District Council’s Community Investment Fund.

Shares are still available to purchase as it is expected that a further £60 000 will be required to complete the refurbishment.

Supporters of the Skeeby community pub scheme celebrate the purchase of The Traveller's Rest

Carol Wilkinson, chair of SCPS, said: “It has been a long and challenging process but finally we have completed the purchase of The Travellers Rest.

"This is a momentous day and one that would have not been possible without the help and support of an enormous number of people.

“Heartfelt thanks go to our legal team at Muckle LLP for their perseverance, The Plunkett Foundation, for their advice and guidance, Richmondshire District Council for having the confidence to award us a CIF grant and of course our shareholders and supporters whose patience and faith has been astounding.

“Support has been incredible; 12-years is a long time to keep a dream alive and without the hard work and dogged determination of the entire committee, past and present we would not have triumphed.

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"Because it became increasingly important to secure the property at the earliest opportunity, we do still need to raise the rest of the funds required to complete the refurbishment however we are now in a position to pursue additional grant funding and are confident that this brilliant news will help reignite shareholder interest.

"Now the really hard work of bringing it back to life can begin.”

Giles McCourt, associate solicitor in the real estate team at Muckle LLP, said: “We are thrilled to have completed this purchase despite the number of challenges along the way.

"It’s wonderful to support a project that is so important to the community of Skeeby, and we can’t wait to see how the project progresses over the coming years.”

SCPS will hold a public meeting on Sunday, February 20 which anyone is welcome to join. To receive details of the meeting, further information regarding the project or to buy shares, see www.thetravellersrestskeeby.co.uk.

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