Russell Arms

The Russell Arms - on behalf of Friends of the Russell

In support of the campaign to help save our local pub at Butler's Cross in Ellesborough please join Friends of the Russell.

Thanks very much to all of you who attended the meeting last Thursday 19th January 2012, at Ellesborough Village Hall, to hear the proposed plans for the village to buy The Russell Arms. There was a good turn out and lots of useful information and advice shared between those presenting the bid and those of you able to attend.

Hopefully by the time you read this we will have put in a successful bid to keep the pub for the village, but fear not, there is still time for you to join our proposed venture!

If we make a successful bid we will then have an 8-12 week period before the deal is concluded and we still need additional funding in order to move forward with refurbishment. Anyone who is still interested in supporting the campaign, or who would like further information please visit the ‘Friends of The Russell’ website 

Please help if you can - thank you for your support.

Please email friendsoftherussell@gmail.com or telephone 07961 303282 with any queries.

LATEST NEWS RELEASE - 18.02.12

Dear Friends,

Please click here for a summary of the update meeting held in the Village Hall on Saturday 18th February.

A big thank you to all those that came along, again a very encouraging turn out.

Best Regards

With best regards

Matt Porter, Matt Glover, Graeme Finch, Richard Jennings, Jamie Renison.

On behalf of "The Friends Of The Russell Arms"

Twitter: @RussellFriends 

Facebook: Friends of the Russell Arms

LATEST NEWS RELEASE - 11.02.12

Dear Friends,

We're delighted to let you know that our bid has been successful (more of the details to be shared at the forthcoming village hall meeting) and we are now going through the legal process to finally acquire the site.  Thanks to everyone for their tremendous support and for getting us this far.  As you know, the pub is in need of a substantial refurbishment and we still need additional funds to be able to make the required capital expenditure investment over and above the purchase price.  Therefore, wherever you can please encourage any additional possible investors to take part and please prepare to send in your committed investment as soon as possible, details to follow.

We are looking to complete the transaction within 8 weeks from now, so have a lot to do in a short space of time.

We are holding the next Village Hall meeting next Saturday, 18th of February 10am, and all investors, and new potential investors, are invited to come along to hear a more detailed update and ask any questions they may have.

We are really pleased that our bid has been successful and excited by the prospect of what lies ahead. We are conscious that the negotiation towards completion remains, so let’s keep the Champagne on ice until we’re over the line, but this is obviously a huge leap forwards for us all.

Thanks again for all your support and we look forward to seeing you in the Village Hall next Saturday.

Best Regards

 Matt P, Matt G, Graeme, Jamie and Richard

On behalf of "The Friends Of The Russell Arms"

@RussellFriends 

PRESS RELEASE - 03.02.12

Dear Friends,

Just a short note to let you know that our bid for The Russell is now with the agent and we await further news, which we expect at some point next week.

At the last meeting several people mentioned that they would be prepared to put forward some risk money, in association with the Directors, to cover initial costs should our bid be successful. Could you please email back if you are prepared to do this – if our bid is successful the risk money will be converted to equity (shares) or repaid. 

Many thanks,

Matt Porter
(on behalf of the directors of the friends of the Russell)

 

PRESS RELEASE - 18.01.12

LOCAL VILLAGE FIGHTS TO SAVE THE LOCAL PUB

The village of Butlers Cross is joining forces to save its local pub, The Russell Arms.

Up for sale for £425,000 and with the threat of it being turned into a Curry House, Chinese Restaurant or a residential development, the villagers have decided to put their money where their mouth is and try to buy it.

Butlers Cross has around 400 houses and just two community amenities, the Village Hall and The Russell pub.  The village is determined to keep their local and to develop it into a thriving social hub that the whole community and visitors can enjoy.

A core team of 20 plus people from Butlers Cross have been working on a business plan and an outline of intent to encourage their fellow residents to invest in a limited company, set up to buy and manage The Russell Arms.  Shares are set at £5000 each and already there has been a very positive response.

Matt Porter, who is the leading force in this campaign says: “It's a tragedy for local communities when their village pub goes under and we are going to do everything we can to prevent that from happening to our local. I've been overwhelmed by the strength of support so far and we are encouraging everyone in the local area to join us in our campaign to rescue The Russell.”

For more information email friendsoftherussell@gmail.com