Always on
This project successfully funded on 22nd June 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
The Barn (Didcot) Preserving past, securing future
Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Aim
We seek to secure the future of this unique venue for the benefit of Didcot. Improvements, renovation & increased accessibility are key !
Preserving past, securing future.
No one knows exactly when the thatched barn was built but it was converted to a club in 1951. It remained thatched until 1990 when it was tiled with cedar roof tiles.
Now The Barn is a local social club which is open to everyone to enjoy whether having a family meal, a social gathering or a night out with friends. It is a place of connection, of social inclusion and friendship.
Our entertainment and leisure offering.
We host regular concerts and music events, quizzes, sporting competitions and special events such as Burns Night, Craft Fairs, Training sessions, Product Launches, Wellbeing Evenings and Corporate events such as Award Presentations.
It is available to hire for a whole variety of occasions and events such as wedding receptions, celebrations of life, birthday & anniversary parties and so much more.
Charities often use the venue for fundraising activities.
Several fitness groups hold classes in the main hall and we have a number of organisations who use the lounge bar for their book club meetings as well as a board games gathering on a twice weekly basis.
We have a lounge and a sports bar as well as the main hall, a snooker room. a pool room and pub games including bar billiards, dominoes and shove ha'penny. We are seeing a return to traditional gaming which we plan to encourage !
We keep a well stocked bar and serve affordable pub grub, bar snacks and Sunday roasts.
The snooker hall is currently undergoing some redecoration. The green window coverings have been painted which makes the room lighter and brighter. But in order to complete the works in here we need to move the snooker tables - a specialist and expensive job.
Tough times since covid.
Sadly, like most hospitality businesses, we have had difficult times since covid. Pubs and Clubs across the country were hit with extended periods of closure, and since then we have experienced hikes in VAT and utilities bills. In addition there are changes to minimum wages, NI and zero hours contracts to content with.
But we are not down hearted, we have exciting plans for the venue which will secure its long term future and we'd love you to be part of the journey with us.
Sustainability in an old building
We are aware that this building is hundreds of years old and requires work to maintain it and modernise it.
A recent energy survey has shown how we could make improvements to reduce our carbon footprint and save costs on fuel. Our current energy bill is crippling !
We report contains detailed idea's of the measures we can take to become more energy efficient in the long run but installing these recommendations is not cheap. Solar panels, air to air heat source pumps, specialist wall and ceiling insulation will greatly improve the sustainability of the building but comes at a cost.
Accessibility and inclusion.
We are also aware that we are failing some members of society as our accessibility leaves a lot to be desired and we wish to improve this by installing an accessible toilet, a hearing loop and improving safe access to the outdoor space.
Didcot is a rapidly expanding town having been designated a Garden Town. This hasn't led to new green areas but to a great deal of housing development and a vastly increased population. Infrastructure has not kept up with housing and there is a need for community facilities such as The Barn to provide an independent venue for relaxation and leisure.
Reaching new audiences
We want to develop our marketing strategy and materials so we can attract and welcome a diverse audience. As the town has grown significantly we are aware of a changing demographic. Didcot has an increasingly diverse population with many scientific workers arriving from overseas, as well as personnel on our military base (11th EOD, Vauxhall Barracks) and we want to ensure our unique venue is truly open and accessible to all.
We are aware that different people enjoy different entertainment and we are looking to expand our repertoire. We recently hosted a drag night but we are also considering operetta and folk as well as the more usual cover bands. Supporting local acts is something we are also keen on - giving a chance to local grass routes musicians and singers
Inside, some of our furniture is nearly as old as the building and our seating is becoming hazardous as legs become loose. A member has undertaken running repairs but we really need to replace chairs in the interests of safety, especially in the sports bar and main hall.
The Barn is run by a voluntary committee of 8 Directors who are all passionate about preserving this special venue. Together we want to make these improvements, and make sure we have the funding to maintain the special features such as the wooden cedar tiled roof and dry stone boundary walls.
We provide an exceptional wedding venue in our growing town and have already got bookings well into 2028. Currently we are only able to offer a space for Wedding receptions but our intention is to apply for a Wedding Licence so we can provide the full ceremony. However, a licence will not be granted without the installation of the accessible toilet.
Carrying out all the proposed works will help secure the long term future of The Barn for many more generations to come and we are excited to make our plans reality.
In Summary - we are seeking funding for the following purposes: (some are fully costed and others are awaiting quotes)
- Replace worn out furnishings - all chairs in the sports bar and upgrading those in the main hall £2800 + £8750
- Move the snooker tables to make space to create a multi games room £2000
- Create a display wall to capture the history of The Barn, to enable our older residents to share their stories and inform and educate our younger residents
- Alter the building to install an accessible toilet £25000
- Run a widespread marketing campaign £5000
- Continue to improve the outdoor space making it more accessible and attractive for all Installation of recycled plastic furniture for strength and longevity £10440
- Create a registrars room, from an existing store room, so we can apply for a Wedding Licence. Decoration and furnishing £2000
- Install a hearing loop and upgrade our Audio Visual equipment so we can hold corporate training events and film screenings.
- Take action to make the building more energy efficient and cost effective by actioning the plan in our Carbon Reduction and Energy Report. £66290
- Repurpose the existing Pool Room to make an income generating asset
- Carry out maintenance to the cedar tiled roof, boundary dry stone walls and the wooden beams which are showing signs of wear especially at the front entrance.
Thank you for reading and considering our Crowd Funder pitch :)
You can help preserve the past and secure the future
In funding The Barn you'll not only help preserve a valuable historic building but will also help to secure the long term future of the venue, ensuring that many more generations are able to enjoy the facility.
Finally, if you watched the video walk through we hope you will excuse our novice attempt at video production !
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made