We aim to raise funds to complete the accommodation development and progress as a family run, community focused pub in 2021...
Together we will not just survive, we will thrive.
Without you all of our plans just won’t be possible.
We understand that it’s uncertain time’s for many. Running a small independent business in hospitality we appreciate that this year has really thrown some curve balls for many people and businesses alike; we really do hope however that you see the value in purchasing something here which is redeemable in the not too distant future, and will help us to our goal, of taking over the Cross Keys, as a family run, community focused business.
Your pledges will allow us to take the reins as business owners, operating at the Cross Keys, Corsley, hopefully, for many years to come.
You will be directly contributing to our success and therefore you will be able to redeem your awards as soon as the business is operating directly under our exclusive leadership.
There’s an array of ‘Rewards’ from overnight stays, to a new exclusive ‘Loyalty Card Scheme’ that we will introduce. Something to suit everyone from our next door neighbours to those further away, who wish to visit the area post lockdown and enjoy all that it is on our doorstep...
There’s Longleat; Bath, Glastonbury, Stonehenge, East Somerset Steam Railway, the Cathedral City of Salisbury and much, much more... all just short journeys from our drive ... what a perfect base!!
The local community have already provided so much time, effort and resources to keep the pub alive but we now look as far and wide as we can to ensure we can keep our dream alive of running a fantastic pub with rooms, at the heart of the community; with so many reasons for you to visit ...
We (John & Jo, with our four young children) took on the management of the Community owned Cross Keys, Corsley, in April 2019.
We were local and have an abundance of experience running pubs and hotels, so it was a perfect fit to lay down our family roots and support the hub of the village.
The village community had saved the pub from closure a few years earlier but were struggling to run it as a sustainable commercial venture. It was not serving food, was tired and losing money:- it faced the real prospect, despite a lot of effort from many local people, of closing permanently.
We overcame many challenges from day one, through long hours and hard work. We reopened the kitchen, achieving a 5* Food Hygiene rating within the first twelve months. We redecorated, fixed problems with fixtures and fittings, developed an attractive and cost effective menu and recruited & trained new staff, from the local area, to ensure we always provide a heartfelt welcome to all who visit.
We nurtured affiliations with many local people and groups; food and drink producers, bakers, butchers, the cricket and tennis clubs, bell ringers and crib players and more; many of whom celebrated with us when we enjoyed the most magical of days back at The Keys, after getting married at the local church, St Margaret's, on 19th October 2019.
We had a fantastic (5*) first year and were on course to have a sustainable and expanding business.
Then in March 2020 the news broke that the country was to go into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
We had prepared as much as we could, quickly turning the pub into a community hub. We worked tirelessly to set up a network of volunteers to provide local people with groceries, household items, prescriptions and often just a local friend to talk to.
We donated our time and were fortunate to have the resources and connections to pull it together and be at the heart of the community. We were interviewed by the press and the BBC as a model for a community response. That's Community spirit!
Fast forward a few months and we head into the dark depths of winter, traditionally the hardest season for hospitality but this time with the Pandemic still very much a worldwide concern.
We have seen that the Cross Keys is needed more than ever, but its long term future may be under threat.
Our passionate goal is to drive the Cross Keys forward as a family operated, community focused business for many years to come:
We aim to:
1. Protect this exceptional pub that we have created
2. Continue to serve our community during these difficult times, and for many years to come
3. Look after our incredible team and keep them with us through our journey from managers to business owners
4. Improve the building and business potential by converting an unused area into rooms to let, the pub now has a grant of planning permission. The new revenue stream will help to ensure the pub survives and thrives for many years to come
If you are local, have a look at our 'Friends of the Cross Keys’ reward.
You will be a part of an exclusive loyalty card scheme, which when renewed annually, will give you not only regular discounts to your food & drinks bills, including the highly regarded “Pie & Pint” and “Fish and Chip” nights (and much more) but also exclusive invitations to 'Friends of the Cross Keys 'events, held throughout the year.
If you live farther afield, by 'pre-selling' accommodation packages, we are giving you the opportunity to support us and in return you will soon be able to stay, or gift your purchase to someone, to enjoy the full hospitality of the Cross Keys Inn and have a base, at the heart of Wiltshire and all it has to offer on our doorstep.
Please support us by purchasing rewards redeemable throughout our first trading year as Hume Hospitality.
We look forward to seeing you all very soon.
We will survive but with your support, the Cross Keys with thrive!
Please share our Crowdfunding page wherever you can, this will help us to get even closer to our milestones and final target.
This project successfully funded on 16th December 2020