'This pub was the focal point of the village': Staffordshire community group launches fundraiser to restore beloved pub
Residents of a Staffordshire village have launched a fundraiser to raise money to purchase and reopen a much-missed pub.
A community group from Norton Bridge has launched a fundraiser to help kick-start their bid to purchase the beloved Railway Inn.
The Railway Inn, on Station Road, Norton Bridge, Staffordshire, had been in operation as a public house since 1849, giving families, friends and loved ones a place to meet up and enjoy each other's company for more than a century.
Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Express & Star’s free newsletter
However, in January 2025, the beloved inn closed its doors, bringing an end to a venue that residents called 'the focal point' of the village.
Now, the Railway Inn Community Pub group has launched a fundraiser to help start proceedings to purchase the pub and reopen its doors for all to enjoy.
Mr David Wills, vice-chair of the Railway Inn Community Pub group, said: "I've lived in the village since 2014, and there was a real sense of sadness and loss when the Railway Inn closed.
"When it closed, it was obvious that it was sorely missed. We are a small village, and this pub was really at the heart of that."
The community group has asked for help in raising £2,500 to help cover the start-up costs of buying the beloved pub, including completing a red book evaluation, signing up for membership with the Plunkett Foundation, and registering as a Community Benefit Society.
Mr Wills said: "We felt that we really wanted to bring this back for the village.
"It wasn't just good for people of this village, visitors would come from all over to have a drink here and take part in the darts team or watch the live music. It was a real hub of the village."
Mr Wills said that once open, they would return the inn to its former glory, including bringing back the darts team, organising live music, and possibly creating a community shop.
He said: "This is really a small village, there are only around 90 houses or so here, so you could imagine how important this pub was for everyone here.
"It was somewhere people could go after work and socialise, it was the heart of the village. We really want to give people the chance to help us save this vital building."
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.