The New Clarence. Hull: City pub saved by community scoops national award

Community pubs saved from extinction by concerned members of the public are now fairly common in small villages throughout the county. But it’s rare that city centre pubs get such care and attention.

The New Clarence in Hull is the first city pub to win Camra’s Pub Saving Awards.

The pub became the subject of a dispute after closing in 2023, between its new owners who wanted to develop it for accommodation and campaigners who wanted to it to continue as a pub.

Hull Community Pub Society was formed, fighting off the applications and subsequent appeals.

HCPS registered the building as an asset of community value in August 2023 allowing it to successfully bid for a £300,000 government Community Ownership Fund – which is now closed.

On top they raised another £250,000 through the Crowdfunder online platform and a share issue.

The pub underwent a £200,000 renovation, before reopening in September, serving eight cask beers and real ciders. Simon Berry, HCPS chair, said: “The journey to get here has been a very interesting one - occasionally chaotic, often exhausting, but always worth it.  Now here we are serving great beer, good wines and proper food, in a pub that’s alive again.

"And none of it would work without the amazing team running the place day in, day out."

Joint runner ups were Ashton Hayes Community Hub Ltd, who rescued the Golden Lion in Ashton Hayes, Chester and the George Community Pub Ltd who campaigned for the George in Wickham Market, Suffolk.

Award coordinator Paul Ainsworth said: “I continue to be amazed by the dedication and grit of these campaigners, who spend years or even decades campaigning to save pubs. However, if we want more communities to be able to do this, they need support from the government.” A change of law will make it easier for communities to take control of assets like pubs, but Mr Ainsworth said the government also needed to provide guidance and funding.