Where it all started…
It all begins with an idea…
Open Arms Kington CIC (Community Interest Company) was established with the aim to enliven and regenerate our rural market town. We aim for this social enterprise to contribute positively towards Kington’s social and economic future and to help build long-term, post-Covid community resilience.
Our vision is to establish an inclusive and vibrant community ‘pub & hub’ - a place where good things happen every day.
This vision is structured around The Oxford Arms, which OAK has purchased as a community asset. It has been a popular local pub for generations with a bar, restaurant and B&B. We want to maintain The Oxford as a cherished Kington ‘local’ and venue. We also hope to develop the layout and make full use of the generous space it offers, securing a thriving future for this landmark building.
‘The British pub is known the world over; it has been part of our way of life for centuries. At the ‘local’, generations have unwound after a hard day’s work, toasted their victories and drowned their sorrows. To this day it remains the beating heart of a community.’
Our dedicated team has been working on the project together for almost 2 years on a voluntary basis. We are proud to have funding of £40,000 awarded by the Community Lottery Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund to conduct a feasibility study, and later £250,000 from the Community Ownership Fund which contributed towards the purchase of the Oxford.
What now…?
Our aim is for the pub & hub to be a kind, central, social space and venue, where people of all ages and backgrounds inter-connect, gain energy and support, joy and meaning. Whilst the main building is closed for refurbishments, we have been running a series of pop-up events in the rear Courtyard and Barn of the pub.
With a wealth of produce available throughout the Marches, good quality, locally sourced food and drink offer is key. We have hosted several brilliant local caterers over the summer, including The Cider Barn, Origin Pizza, The Pizza Girls, & Wild Street Kitchen. If you have ideas about local food vendors please let us know!
Once the pub building reopens, we aim to provide a regular timetable of events, room hire, a much-needed local youth space and accessible access to facilities for all. All profits from the ‘pub & hub’ will be reinvested into community activity. In the mean time, the Courtyard has proven to be wonderfully versatile space, hosting even the fabulous steam locomotives from the Kington Vintage Rally!
We have been met with overwhelming local support for the project. In the coming months it is our intention to outline the structure for a community share offer, and thus make it a project truly owned by Kington community.