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The Mortimer Community Benefit Society was founded in May 2018 to purchase the Bell at Yarpole, a community owned pub in North Herefordshire situated midway between the market towns of Ludlow and Leominster. 257 people have become shareholders and work together to ensure the long term survival of the Bell at Yarpole. Would you like to join us? For £100.00 you can be a part owner in this 17th century heritage pub. By becoming a shareholder you are able to vote at the AGM and help direct and preserve the building. Download a Share Application form.

At the end of last year our tenant decided that he could no longer run the pub. After a period of negotiation, as to the terms of his release from his contract with us, the community regained control of the Bell at Yarpole. The decision was taken to manage the pub as a community venture. Initially the Bell opened every Friday night. From February 2024 we have teamed up with experienced chef Michael Collis and now are open Friday, Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes offering a varied menu of good and reasonably priced food. We recently also started opening on a Wednesday evening for a midweek social; an opportunity to meet and play a variety of games. Dominoes and Backgammon are proving popular. As we gain momentum and income from the business we plan to gradually increase the opening hours. Currently we are relying on volunteers for the majority of the work; this, too, will change as we become more profitable.

We hope after a period of 6 months that we will be showing a profit and will be in a much better position to look for a strong tenant for the Bell at Yarpole.

Why not come and visit us?

The MCBS held its Annual Members Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, 19th October 2023. 

The Accounts for 2022 – 23 can be viewed here.

The Minutes of the AGM can be viewed here. The Discussion on the future of the Bell can be viewed here.

Offering a warm welcome at the heart of our community.

Registered with the Financial Conduct Authority No: 7793

VAT Registration No: 302 0648 51