Our Story
The Fox Inn, Ryton dates back over 300 years serving the residents, the local farming community, tourists, and other villages in Shropshire. Set in the beautiful village of Ryton, The Fox has stunning views over the South Shropshire Hills. Previously very successful, the current owners sadly closed the pub in September 2022. In February 2023, the community united to save its village pub and a Community Benefit Society was formed. Following an incredible campaign for pledges of investment, skills & resources, the Fox Inn Ryton Community Pub Ltd was successful in securing transformative government Community Ownership funding . Having reached an agreement to purchase The Fox, the community share offer was launched on 1 March 2025 and if successful, and purchase of The Fox took place on 31 March 2025.
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The Power of Community
This campaign has brought our community together. With fantastic support from across Shropshire and beyond, our amazing fundraising team have organised pop-up pubs, quizzes, car treasure hunts, bingo nights, coffee mornings, race days, BBQs, raffles, and even a Sewing Bee finalist evening. With support from across our diverse community, these events have brought people together, fostered new friendships, raised over £10,000 and laid the foundation for our Community Pub. Thank you!
In the Media
A community is fundraising to save a village pub which shut last year.
By Susie Rack
BBC News, West Midlands
Residents want to buy the Fox Inn in Ryton, Shropshire and run it as a community hub.
The building, which is on the market for £395,000 and has two bars, a restaurant and beer garden, would become "more than just a pub", said locals.
"A lot of people in rural locations live in isolation and their pub's the lifeline," said resident Dave Wright.
Mr Wright, who moved to the village just before the pub shut, said a steering committee formed within weeks of its September closure.
"I was looking forward to moving to a nice village with a good country pub. And that hasn't happened so far," he said.
"There's a keen broad base of people in the village and surrounding village that want to bring the pub back into the community to be community-owned," he added.
The venue has been listed as a community asset with the local council, Mr Wright said, which gives residents six months as sole bidders.
In a survey, residents told the committee they want a "proper pub", Mr Wright added.
"They want a well-run country pub that does good, local-sourced food with a good selection of beers and also a bar area so it's not just a restaurant," he said.
It is also hoped the venue will provide a café, shop, parcel and prescription hub and internet provision for the community.
Organisers are now fundraising, exploring grant options and a share issuance scheme, while working closely with the building's owners.
"Little did I know a year and a half ago that I would be involved in the fight to open a pub," Mr Wright said.
"That first day when it's open and we can go and stand at the bar and celebrate its opening, yes that will be great," he added.
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