The ongoing saga surrounding The Boot Inn in Shipton Bellinger, once a cherished village pub and restaurant, continues to stir debate as the future of the property remains uncertain.
Lee and Sally Turland, who own the premises and ran the pub for 26 years, have been trying to sell the property after facing a series of challenges that led to its closure. As tensions rise, a pivotal meeting tonight (11/09/2024) could shape the future direction of this much-debated property. A group of villages are rallying together to retain the pub as a community asset.
The Pub’s Decline
For over two decades, The Boot Inn served as a key part of village life. However, the combination of rising operational costs, staffing shortages, and changing social habits saw the pub’s fortunes decline. “After COVID, people didn’t want to work evenings and weekends anymore,” explains Lee Turland. “We lost three full-time chefs, and the overall staffing situation just got worse as time went on.”
Adding to the pub’s troubles, the COVID-19 pandemic permanently shifted consumer behaviour. “People are eating out less and drinking at home more,” notes Sally. The pub, once bustling, could no longer sustain itself as bills soared. In 2024, they owe £12,475 in business rates despite not trading since August 2022. “Our last set of accounts showed a net loss of £20,000, and that was without either of us taking a wage,” Lee adds.
Attempts to Sell
Despite placing The Boot Inn on the market before its closure, the Turlands have struggled to find a buyer. The asking price has been reduced three times, but interest has been low. “No one wants rural pubs anymore,” says Lee, pointing to a broader trend of declining pub viability, especially in out-of-town locations.
To further complicate matters, the property has fallen into disrepair. Dampness, mould, and worn-out interiors have made the pub even less appealing to potential buyers. The Turlands, facing financial strain, are unable to invest in repairs. “Most of the kitchen equipment hasn’t been turned on in two years and no longer works,” they admit, describing a property that’s becoming harder to sell with each passing month.
Planning Permission Struggles
The Turlands have sought planning permission to convert the pub into residential homes, but their attempts have been repeatedly blocked by Test Valley Borough Council. The council has expressed concerns over preserving the site as a village pub, despite the fact that the building is not listed.
The couple enlisted a professional team of architects and heritage consultants to support their application, proposing to sympathetically convert the existing buildings into housing. However, the council rejected the initial applications, suggesting that the property had been marketed at too high a price and raising concerns over its historical significance. The Turlands are now awaiting further advice from the council after a third price reduction.
Community Efforts to Reopen
While the Turlands are eager to move on, a local campaign known as Shipton Needs A Pub (SNAP) is pushing for a different future for the site. SNAP has formed a group, Shipton Community Pub Limited, with the goal of purchasing the property and reopening it as a community-owned pub. The group argues that a community pub would serve as a hub for local residents, including veterans and military families stationed nearby.
Tonight, villagers and representatives from the SNAP campaign will meet to discuss the next steps in their effort to save The Boot Inn. Some in the village support the idea of keeping the pub open, but the Turlands remain sceptical. “People don’t understand the financial reality,” says Sally. “We didn’t close because we wanted to—it became unsustainable. We put everything we had into keeping the pub running.”
Financial and Emotional Toll
The stress of the situation has taken a significant toll on the Turlands, both financially and emotionally. They’ve accrued over £33,900 in business rates alone since closing, all while dealing with rising utility bills. The continued rejection of planning permission has added further strain to their lives, impacting their mental health. “We’re at almost breaking point,” says Lee, who has also been dealing with health issues during this time.
Sally has become so anxious that she avoids walking through the village alone, and the uncertainty over their future has left them both feeling trapped. “It’s like we’re stuck in a battle we can’t win,” Lee confides.
Community-Driven Initiative
The SNAP campaign emerged in response to concerns over the closure of The Boot Inn, which had long been considered the heart of Shipton Bellinger. The pub’s absence has left a void in the village. SNAP aims to raise the funds required to acquire the property and reopen it as a community-owned asset.
“We’re dedicated to bringing back a space that unites our village,” said a spokesperson for SNAP. “Whether you’ve lived here for generations or are new to the area, The Boot Inn should be a place for everyone to feel welcome and connected.”
A Hub for Civilians and Military Families
Shipton Bellinger is a unique village, home to a diverse mix of civilian and military families due to its proximity to nearby military bases. The reopening of The Boot Inn will provide an inclusive gathering space for both groups, strengthening the sense of community.
“This is a village with a large number of married quarters and strong military ties,” said the spokesperson. “The Boot Inn will be a place where civilians, veterans, and serving military personnel and their families can come together and support one another.”
However, with the village’s Sports and Social Club already acting as a thriving community hub, some are questioning whether Shipton Bellinger truly needs another. The social club has become the go-to venue for local events and gatherings, making it unclear if a second community hub would be sustainable. The meeting tonight aims to address this issue, along with exploring how to move forward with the future of The Boot Inn.
What is a Community Benefit Society?
Shipton Community Pub Limited, the newly formed CBS, will be owned and controlled by its members, who will have a direct say in how the pub is run. Any surplus profits from the business will be reinvested into the community, ensuring the pub’s sustainability for years to come.
“This model is about keeping The Boot Inn in the hands of the people who care most about its success – the residents of Shipton Bellinger,” the spokesperson explained.
What’s Next?
As the SNAP campaign prepares to present its case at tonight’s meeting, the future of The Boot Inn remains deeply uncertain. While many villagers hope for the pub to be revived under community ownership, the Turlands believe that, financially, the pub may no longer be a viable business.
This evening’s meeting will likely be a turning point, determining whether the SNAP campaign can gain enough momentum to move forward or if the Turlands’ quest to sell the property and move on will finally gain traction.
For the Turlands, it’s a bittersweet moment. After investing more than two decades into The Boot Inn, they are ready to close this chapter, but the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty. “We just want to move on with our lives,” says Sally. “But it feels like we’re being held in limbo.”
As Shipton Bellinger gathers tonight, the village stands at a crossroads. Will the pub find new life under community ownership and will the Turlands finally succeed in selling the property? One thing is clear: the future of The Boot Inn remains a topic of heated debate, with both sides eager for resolution.
