Local pub saved by community campaign reopens

A village pub has reopened after a local campaign gained global attention and raised £450,000.

The White Horse, in Stonesfield, near Witney, was bought by the community campaign group in September 2023 - more than three years after it closed.

The purchase came after the campaign to save the pub was featured in the New York Times in 2020, with donations flooding in from around the world.

Now, almost four years since closing, it is fully owned by the community and was able to open its doors again on Friday.

Landlord Craig Tipper said he was amazed by the international interest the campaign received and hoped it would put the Oxfordshire pub on the tourist map.

He said there was a "buzz around the village" on opening day, with more than 200 people "of all ages" came through the doors.

"Everyone was very happy, very jolly and very excited that they've got their pub back," he said.

The 43-year-old, who took on the tenancy in May, said: "There aren't many normal pubs any more, just a good old pub, a community hub where anyone can come and feel welcome."

Mr Tipper said he wanted to "create something special for Stonesfield", adding: "I'm not in it to make money.

"I'm passionate about this trade and I instil that in the staff and they work with a smile on their faces, which feeds through to the customers.

"I think any village which has the opportunity and the means to buy their local should do so."

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