The White Lion Community Pub Share Offer is now open!

Our Story

For 250 years The White Lion has been at the heart of Ash Villages. When the building went up for sale in 2018, we faced losing not just a pub, but a vital lifeline for our community.

So our community came together. Supporters from across the UK and internationally raised the funds to purchase the pub, saving it from closure and giving it a new lease of life under community ownership.

Since then, The White Lion has become much more than just a place to eat and drink. It is the centre of our rural community — a place where friendships are made, stories are shared, and everyone belongs.

But today, we’ve outgrown our facilities. We also lack level access and accessible toilets, which means some members of our community cannot enjoy everything The White Lion has to offer.

The Next Chapter

We’re ready to change that. We have the space, the team, and the planning permission already in place to transform The White Lion into a venue for everyone.

This campaign will enable us to:

Build a vital connection between our lounge and the outside function room.
Provide level access and purpose-built facilities for people with limited mobility and families with young children.
Double our floor space with a new kitchen, restaurant, and a volunteer-run community shop offering home deliveries.

All of this has been designed with sustainability in mind, while preserving the historic character and traditional features of our much-loved pub.

Every contribution makes a difference. Together, we can build an inclusive and sustainable future for The White Lion

More Than Just a Pub

Since becoming community-owned, our doors have opened wider than ever. The White Lion is now home to book clubs, quiz nights, charity fundraisers, christenings, and even weddings.

We bring people together. Whether you’re stopping in for a pint, joining a club, enjoying a meal, or simply seeking friendship and company, you’ll find a home at The White Lion. For many in our rural community, the pub is a lifeline against loneliness, isolation, and stress.

We’re also proud to provide jobs and training for young people — giving them opportunities for success and a safe, inclusive space to socialise.

In 2023, this commitment was recognised nationally when The White Lion won the Countryside Alliance Award for Best Rural Pub in the UK

Our Share Offer and Business Case

The White Lion has already proven its resilience in a challenging economy. Like many in hospitality, we faced difficulties after the pandemic, but thanks to our dedicated management team and supportive community, we are thriving.

In the past year alone, we’ve elevated our food and events offering, controlled costs, and shown there is real appetite for what we do. But our small kitchen and dining area mean we’re running at capacity — we simply can’t grow without investment.

This project is vital. By expanding, we will double our dining and kitchen space, increase our capacity, and secure our long-term profitability and sustainability.

The reviews of our food and service speak for themselves, and our detailed business plan shows how this development will catapult The White Lion forward, securing it for generations to come

Your Support Secures Our Future

To fund this project, we’re launching a share offer for both new and existing investors.

Our target is to raise £80,000 in share capital, which — alongside grants, match funding, and donations — will allow us to reach the £220,000 needed to complete this vital development. This will also strengthen our reserves, ensuring The White Lion thrives long into the future.

Every single share counts. Your support will not only secure our pub’s future but will also give you a stake in something truly special.

Owning a Piece of The White Lion

By becoming a shareholder, you won’t just be investing in a business — you’ll become a co-owner of a genuine community asset.

Seven years ago, our community came together to save The White Lion. Now you can be part of its future. Help us make The White Lion roar louder by purchasing shares today.

Share Details

Share value: £250 each
Minimum investment per person: £250
Maximum investment per person: £25,000
One member, one vote: regardless of the number of shares held

Membership benefits include:

A monthly newsletter with financial updates, event news, and quizzes (with prizes!).
Priority booking for meals and special events.
Invitations to drink and menu tasting sessions, helping to shape our future offer.
Access to member-only events twice a year.