Golden Lion community owned pub reopens and is once again at the centre of village activities

August saw the long-awaited opening of the Golden Lion pub in Ashton Hayes.  Many months of hard work by tradespeople and volunteers has transformed once run-down building into an attractive and welcoming place. owned by the community.  

Advice, input and financial investment from the Ashton Hayes Energy Company mean that the “new” 200 year old building has an Energy Rating of B, with generous insulation throughout, LED lighting and a large solar array at the rear of the carpark. 

The community of Ashton Hayes and beyond, including former residents in far-flung places, raised over £300,000 through the Community Shares Scheme. 

20 years ago, Garry Charnock raised the idea of a carbon neutral community in Ashton Hayes at the Golden Lion quiz night.  After 14 years of the community battling to save the pub, we have now come full circle.  A recent quiz night attracted 90 people.  Here’s to another 200 years of serving the village. 

It would have been impossible to complete the project without the generous and dedicated  work of an amazing group of volunteers, especially the A Team.  We also had the help of so many tradespeople who have gone above and beyond in many cases.