Campaign to save 200 year old Higham pub looking for donations

The Oddfellows Arms was built in 1799 but is under threat of demolition to make way for houses.

For the past two years, the campaign group 'Save The Oddies Pub' (STOP) have been battling to save their only pub and re-open the site as a community space for all to enjoy.

Developers have now submitted plans to demolish The Oddfellows Arms and build up to 25 homes on the site.

As part of their latest plans, STOP have registered an organisation called Higham Community Benefit Society Ltd. Its hoped the can make an offer to purchase the pub by by asking people to pledge to purchase shares in this company. Each share costs £50 and they estimate they need to raise £275,000. 

David Wilkinson, Chair of STOP, said “Once it’s gone, it is gone forever. The Oddfellows has been a fundamental part of the lives of many families in the village for generations.

"It’s quite literally been at the heart of the village community for 200 years. Community ownership will ensure that we keep that crucial hub for future generations."

Emily Davis grew up in the village.

“The Oddfellows Arms has been the hub of the community for many years, it is where friendships were formed and people came together.

"This is even more apparent in these times; the residents of the village have become isolated from each other.

"Losing this village asset and its only community space will have a detrimental effect on the residents especially as the community recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Fosse107 spoke to the secretary of STOP, Kate Philips, about their plans if they're successful in purchasing the pub.

"We've talked about hosting a post office, which we haven't got, or hosting coffee and cake mornings", she said.

"We want to turn it into a space for the whole community."

STOP are asking for those interested in putting forward a non-binding pledge to buy shares to visit their website (https://savetheoddiespub.wixsite.com/stop) or to donate to their ongoing efforts through their GoFundMe page (https://uk.gofundme.com/f/to-reopen-the-oddfellows-higham-on-the-hill).