18/03/2026
ABOUT THE UPCOMING AUCTION OF OUR PUB
To our wonderful customers, friends, and community,
As many of you know, our pub goes to auction tomorrow.
What started as two people with no experience, just a determination to stop this place from closing, has turned into something far bigger than we ever imagined. Over the past 9 months, this pub has become more than a business — it has become a home, a safe space, and a true pillar of the community.
We have laughed here, celebrated here, and supported one another through some incredibly difficult times. When Nikki suffered a stroke, and Dave was involved in a road traffic accident, the support we received was overwhelming. It showed us, more than ever, just how much this place means — not just to us, but to all of you.
We want to be completely honest.
We would have loved nothing more than to buy this pub ourselves and secure its future. But due to the speed and circumstances of the sale, that simply hasn’t been possible — and that is heartbreaking for us.
However, there is something extremely important that must be made clear to any prospective buyers:
This is not a development opportunity - the land and the skittle alley have all been included by the Asset of Community Value process. With the Community Asset process now firmly in motion, supported by Drybrook Parish Council, the pub and its grounds are protected. This means the site cannot be redeveloped or built on and must remain as a community asset for the foreseeable future.
This is a pub.
It will stay a pub.
And it will continue to serve its community.
We also want it known that we have a lease in place until 2031, and we are absolutely determined to continue running this pub with the same passion, care, and commitment that we always have.
We are not going anywhere.
To anyone considering purchasing — understand what you are buying into. This is a living, breathing community hub, backed fiercely by the people who use it every day.
To our community — this place is yours as much as it is ours. Always has been.
Whatever happens tomorrow, we will keep showing up, keep fighting, and keep doing everything we can to protect what has been built here together.
Thank you, truly, for standing by us. We have felt every bit of your support.
Please help us to share this to anyone who may be looking to purchase our pub and land for a development opportunity.
We face tomorrow together.
With love and determination,
Nikki, Dave & Faith
