Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, returned to the King’s Head in East Hoathly to see the success of the King’s Head pub, now in community ownership. She met with Allison Walker and Kevin Green, committee members of the King’s Head Benefit Society to talk about the journey from share-raising £650,000 to buy the premises to the recently opened kitchens. She pulled a pint with staff member and local resident Sarah Callander and played her hand at the Sussex game, Toad in the Hole.
The Benefit Society also won the Community Business Award from the Sussex Chamber of Commerce, competing for the award against 14 other local community-run businesses.
Nusrat said: “East Hoathly had already lost one pub and the local community were not willing to see another one close. They have really put the pub back on the map with its refreshed interior, tasty menu and a range of locally brewed beers. We have another local success story which is welcoming many new customers from the local area.
Allison and Kevin, members of the management committee, shared with me the journey of raising £650,000 from the local community, showcasing the renovations, much of it undertaken by local volunteers and tradespersons, to the current day and their future plans to expand with a new function room and improve the amenities on offer.
Pubs contribute so much to their local communities. The King’s Head is a testament to the vision and hard work of the community of East Hoathly and to receive the Community Business Award is an amazing accolade that the team really do deserve.”
