The Harrow Community Pub
The Harrow – Stockbury's Community Pub
The Harrow sits at the heart of Stockbury, overlooking the village green, and has been part of village life for around 200 years. Today it is particularly special because it is owned by the community itself.
A Part of Village History
For generations, The Harrow has provided a meeting place for Stockbury residents. Historical recollections from former publicans' family members describe a traditional country pub which once had three separate bars – the Public Bar, Snug and Saloon Bar – as well as an off-sales hatch. During the 1960s, 70s and early 80s these were gradually opened up to create the more familiar country-pub layout, and food became an increasingly important part of the business.
The Harrow was formerly a Shepherd Neame pub and, as the only remaining public house in Stockbury, its future became particularly important to the village.
The Community Saves The Harrow
Recognising the importance of the pub to village life, Stockbury Parish Council successfully had The Harrow registered as an Asset of Community Value before its future came under threat. Parish Council minutes record that this had been achieved by 2015.
When villagers learned in September 2016 that Shepherd Neame intended to sell The Harrow, the community acted quickly. A public meeting was held, residents were surveyed about what they wanted from their village pub and a Community Benefit Society was established to enable people to invest in its future.
The campaign was a remarkable demonstration of Stockbury's community spirit. More than £187,000 was raised through community shares and the freehold purchase price was £310,000. Around 150 local people initially became members of the community enterprise.
The purchase was completed in 2017 and Stockbury Parish Council's June 2017 minutes recorded that The Harrow was now owned by Stockbury residents as a community pub.
A Community Effort
Following the purchase, The Harrow underwent a major refurbishment, with much of the work undertaken by volunteers from Stockbury and the surrounding community.
The refurbished pub reopened in the summer of 2017, providing not simply a traditional village pub but a community meeting place. The original vision included locally sourced food and drink, daytime teas and coffees, social activities, lunch clubs and opportunities for residents to meet and spend time together.
The success of the campaign received national recognition when The Harrow's Community Benefit Society won CAMRA's prestigious 2017 Pub Saving Award, recognising the way Stockbury residents had worked together to secure the future of their village pub.
The Harrow Today
The Harrow remains community owned and continues to provide an important social hub for Stockbury. Its Community Benefit Society has around 140 shareholders, and new shareholders are still welcomed.
As well as serving residents, the pub welcomes visitors to Stockbury and provides a focal point in the centre of the village. Its survival is a lasting example of what can be achieved when a small rural community works together to protect something that matters to it.
The Harrow
The Street
Stockbury
Sittingbourne
Kent ME9 7UH
For current opening times, food, events and contact details, visit The Harrow's official website.
