Category Archives: Our Story

On the 11th & 18th September, we invited people to come on in and take a look around. Remember, the pub hasn’t been opened up for a good couple of years, so there were a few layers of dust. Ultimately though, it’s in an OK state. The flat roof needs some love, and it has let a little damp in, but with some remedial repairs, and deep, deep clean and some deft work with a paint brush, she’s going to scrub up just fine. There was lots of enthusiastic talk about what we can do longer term with the space, really good to hear everyone’s ideas.

For now though, we want to concentrate on getting the doors open as a wet pub as soon as we can, preferably before Christmas.

When you put your mind to owning the village pub, its more than your pocket you have to put your hand to! This is the lovely team that gave up their Saturday morning to tame the jungle that was once a garden!

Many people didn’t even know The Bell and Bear had a garden, let only a large and very lovely one. Whilst keeping it neat and tidy isn’t a once only job, we do hope to make the garden a key feature of the new look pub. Better access, herb and vegetable gardens, nice furniture, regular events, maybe even an outdoor bar.

Sadly, unlikely to be put to good use for a little while, as by the time we open it will be cold and damp, but watch this space for more news. Oh and that Groundforce army could always do with some more willing volunteers!

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Getting close to completion, the management team are putting their heads together. We now call it “Our Bell & Bear” and soon it will sit again right at the heart of the village. It is a community owned pub – independent and much loved. The plans are just beginning, but that people centric approach will be integral in ourplans. Food and drink will be sourced sustainably, seasonally, minimising food miles, perhaps even grown in our own garden or village. Staff will be treated with respect and paid fairly. We’ll consider the environmental aspect of everything we do. We’ll use the pub beyond just a pub. Perhaps a village shop, a morning café, a social centre, a place for clubs and societies to meet and thrive. Many memories have been made here and we hope many more will be made in the years to come.

This is the face of the team working hard to bring this together, plus another Richard via Zoom and the silent photographer of course! Still smiling!

In May 2019, the Bell and Bear in Emberton closed its doors. The previous landlords had won numerous awards including MK chef of the year and had built a glowing reputation for fine dining and superb beers and wines. If talent in the kitchen was all it took, they and their pub should have been basking in success. But this is a tough business and despite strong support from the village, the pub ultimately closed. But that is far from the end of the story.

In 2014 the pub was registered as a Community Asset. So, when owners, The Wellington Pub Company, decided to sell up, they had to give the community an opportunity to bid for it. Given the asking price and the state of disrepair, the community knew they needed to raise in the region of £450,000 to make this dream a reality. It was a tall ask. But every village needs a pub, and there’s something about the Bell and Bear that is special. The villagers rallied, dug deep and came up with the goods. 74 investors in total ranging from £250 through to £100,000, gave the village enough to meet the £350,000 asking price with funds in the bank for some remedial refurbishment work. At the time of writing, the solicitors are hard at work. But we hope to be getting those keys soon.