The Bamford Community Society (BCS) is a community co-operative which owns the freehold of the Anglers Rest pub and the adjacent car parks. The Society was formed in 2012 when the pub faced closure after years of neglect and poor management whilst owned by a string of large Pub Companies with little interest in the business. It was to be sold for property development. The Society registered the property as an Asset of Community Value. Our members raised £264,250 through membership shares to purchase the freehold outright in 2013. The purchase was also supported by a commercial loan.
The BCS has a total of 343 members, mostly from Bamford and the surrounding area. All members are shareholders in the co-operative. As a co-operative society for community benefit, our constitutional and legal duty is to serve our community rather than generate profit for our members / shareholders. Most shareholders hold between 250 and 500 shares; members have equal voting rights regardless of the size of their shareholding.
We also have a small number of institutional investors, including Co-Operatives UK, and some local community groups.
Since 2013 the BCS has invested heavily in the building. We have developed the café area, refurbished the bar area and cellar as well as refurbishing some of the upstairs accommodation. Around £100,000 was invested in re-roofing the building. The boiler and heating system has been replaced. Solar panels have been fitted. The accommodation upstairs includes 2 units which can be used by staff or as rental units.
The pub has provided employment for dozens of local people, including providing valuable first steps into employment for dozens of young people from Bamford, and it also hosts numerous community groups.
The BCS ran the pub, café, post-office and accommodation businesses directly for over a decade since 2013, employing managers and other staff itself. The team stabilised the business, successfully navigated challenges such as COVID, and maintained payments against our commercial loan.
In 2025, the BCS with the support of its membership decided to lease the premises to an experienced local operator of hospitality businesses, Atlantik Inns. The rent is set at market rates and generates sufficient income for BCS to cover its costs (commercial loan repayments, insurance, accountancy) and build up reserves. Atlantik have refurbished the pub area and are keen to grow the business and the BCS are here to support them. The role of the BCS has therefore changed from the day-to-day management and running of the business to being a landlord, responsible for the building and its duties to members.
Though the role of the BCS has changed with the tenancy, there are still decisions and responsibilities that sit with the BCS Board of Directors, as representatives of the membership, in order that the Anglers Rest can remain open to the community for the long term and remain a valuable asset to both the BCS shareholders and wider community.
The Board of the BCS welcome interest from people who can offer their time, skills and expertise to help our village pub, cafe and post office be a success.
If you wish to contact the BCS, you may email the BCS Company Secretary at bcscompsec@gmail.com
Copies of documents for existing members will be uploaded here soon:
BCS Shares Withdrawal Policy v3
BCS Share Withdrawal Application Form
BCS Shares Surrender Form
BCS Codicil Form