Heritage Enterprise
In the early 20th century, the village was served by seven pubs but by 1999, only The George remained. The Grade II listed building is at the heart of the village’s conservation area and is thought to date back five centuries.
In 2013, fire left The George badly damaged. Three years later, the people of Wickham Market got together and began the long process of fundraising to restore the pub.
Our funding totalling £1.8million enabled the community to get spades in the ground and make their vision a reality. Alongside our funding and grants from other local and national organisations, 450 shareholders have contributed over £400,000 – a testament to the passionate support for the project in Wickham Market and beyond.
A new lease of life
As well as reopening as a bar and restaurant, the building has been transformed into a centre for social, educational and cultural activities, with flexible community spaces on the first floor. A part-time Community Engagement Coordinator leads a programme of activities promoting wellbeing and combating loneliness.
The historic structure of the pub has been fully restored with the addition of a newly built extension. Improvements have been made to the building’s accessibility and new research into the pub’s long history will be proudly displayed throughout.
The next chapter in that history has begun as The George opens to the public for the first time in 12 years.
Find out more about the restoration of The George and discover other projects we’ve supported in the Midlands and East.
