THINGS are moving on at Tedburn St Mary towards the village owning its own pub, opening it again and seeing the return of some village activities that had gone with the closure in 2022.

Carrying out a breakfast for a customer. SR 9624
Carrying out a breakfast for a customer. SR 9624 (Crediton Courier)

Last year the village formed an action group in the hopes of seeing the pub open again - but money is needed.  Towards this, a Big Breakfast was held on Saturday, April 6, in the Village Hall - and very good the breakfasts were.

So far the group has spent £3,500 mostly on an initial valuation, Plunkett UK membership fees, administration and marketing.  This has been donated by its committee and a few kind-hearted local people.

Now called Tedburn St Mary Community Benefit Society Limited, the group is offering shares and hoping for pledges and donations.  Anyone who would like to know more should contact either the chairman or the secretary at: [email protected] or [email protected] .

The Red Lion has now been designated as an Asset of Community Value by Teignbridge District Council, which gives the group a chance to put a bid together to buy the pub.

It is understood the owner is offering it to them at £50,000 more than the advertised figure. 

The Group has said it knows times are difficult, the country is losing local pubs at an alarming rate. 

One corner of tables with diners. SR 9622
One corner of tables with diners. SR 9622 (Crediton Courier)

“Ventures of this kind have been proven to be financially viable and successfully achieved by many communities throughout the UK. There are currently 175 co-operative pubs in the UK and most of these have been set up with the support of the charity Plunkett UK (www.plunkett.co.uk), for example, the nearby Drewe Arms,” it commented. 

The owner, Terry Tume, has put three applications in to Teignbridge District Council to turn the building into homes but these were withdrawn each time. 

“It would be a good old-fashioned pub.  We are doing a survey to see how people would like the pub to be used and how often they might use it,” added the group. 

On offer for the breakfasts was bacon, sausage, hash brown, bean, fried egg, tomato and toast.  Diners could double up, plus unlimited tea or coffee and home made cakes were also on offer.