The Waldy is reopen
and community-run
May 2026 Update
Great news! Thanks to the hard work of staff and volunteers, who’ve been busy cleaning, gardening and alarm testing, The Waldy is now open again for drinks, food and hospitality.
The new regular opening hours at The Waldy:
Wednesday and Thursday 5pm until 10pm
Friday and Saturday 12pm until late
Sunday 12pm until 8pm
Food is served:
Thursday 5–8.30pm
Friday and Saturday 12–2.30pm and 4–8.30pm
Sunday 12–4pm
Please book your table and give it a whirl. Email contact@thewaldegrave.com
What’s changing
So that we can all enjoy the pub this spring and summer while a long-term plan is underway, a Community Interest Company (CIC) has been set up to run it.
A CIC is a social enterprise, which is a type of regulated UK limited company designed to benefit the community. This means the pub runs as a commercial business but has an asset lock, so any profits will ultimately go back into the EHCBS.
On the staffing side, Mark has come on board as head chef and has created a new locals' favourites lunch, dinner and Sunday lunch menu. Helene is now front of house manager and is very excited to see the pub full again.
The purpose of ‘The Summer Stand-in Project’ is to:
1. Get the pub open (and accept that things might not be perfect)
2. Make enough money to pay staff and suppliers
3. Integrate as much of the community as possible
The plan is to host more events, more community groups and find more ways for the pub to become the proper heart and soul of the village. During this time the CIC will learn what areas of the pub are working well and what needs improving.
The plan for after summer
While you’re enjoying some beers in the sunshine please give some thought as to what you’d like to see from the pub in the future. At the community workshop on 2 June (at The Waldy 7.30pm) we want to come away with a clear idea of whether a new, experienced tenant will fit the bill or if there is an appetite to set up a managed pub for the long term. You can learn more about the advantages of each route in this guide by Plunkett. Our ambition is to move forward with a decision by
September.
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Please visit The Waldy website for further information on events and menus.
What is the East Harptree Community Benefit Society?
The EHCBS was set up by the East Harptree community in 2023 by a small group of local volunteers determined not to let our historic pub close permanently or fall into the hands of developers. The aim was to purchase The Waldegrave and engage an experienced tenant to run it as a thriving business for the benefit of the community.
In just a little over a year, the society raised £253k in community shares, secured a £250k Community Ownership Fund from the government (plus other additional grants and income) to make an offer and purchase the pub – an incredible achievement.
What does a community-owned pub mean?
Our pub (the buildings and garden) is community-owned in perpetuity but currently run by a tenant. In short that means we own and are responsible for the building and grounds but everything to do with prices, beer, music (you name it) is up to our experienced tenant, who runs the pub with paid, professional staff.
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Saving the Waldy in numbers
'A vibrant food, drink and social destination,
where everyone is welcome. A local that helps village life thrive.’
The EHCBS vision for the Waldegrave Arms
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