Please help us save Pop Larkin’s pub!
This exciting community project will save the pub used in the ‘The Larkins’ TV series from development into housing and preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
The Swan on the Green in West Peckham, Kent, its neighbouring church and adjacent village green were used to film most of the village scenes of the 2021 and 2022 TV series. It’s where Pop Larkin and his fellow villagers relaxed and socialised.
Don't let it become housing
Communities around the country are being devastated in record numbers as unscrupulous buyers attempt to convert pubs into housing. In June UKHospitality reported that the country is now losing 80 pubs every month so it looks like close to 1,000 will be lost this year. Every one of those had provided the local community with a place to socialise, to meet friends and to relax over a meal and a drink. Each was a local community centre. Virtually all were lost forever - developed into housing.
The long-term story is no better. The last 20 years has seen the closure of 8 pubs and one hotel within 5 kilometres of the Swan. It's pretty much the last one locally now. Developers make a tidy profit converting them to alternative use, almost always housing.
Help us put it into community ownership
So when the owner told us he wanted to sell the Swan we decided to buy it and save it for future generations to enjoy. Owned not by one person but by the community, in a ‘not for profit’ Community Benefit Society.
The Swan on the Green is the heart of a community
Overlooking the village green and trading since 1685 the Swan is the hub of a community, a place where people from the village, surrounding area and far afield come to meet friends, socialise and take part in quiz nights, music nights and other social events. It supports the annual village fete, the bonfire night, cricket matches on the green and many other community events.
Share our vision
We want to create a friendly local pub offering great food, great service and a great atmosphere. We already have a great location!
But we also want to transform the Swan into a community hub for the surrounding area. We want to become a resource that can provide a sense of belonging and of community to more of the locals who live alone. We plan to work with local organisations and charities to find ways to make people who would not normally visit the Swan part of its wider community.
Additional services run by volunteers will welcome people throughout the day rather than just in traditional pub hours. These include:
- A café
- Small shop
- Book swap
- Work space - with fast broadband
- Subsidised meals and coffee mornings with local social charities
We are a not for profit organisation and each year a percentage of the Swan's trading profit will be reinvested in supporting the community, raising the quality of life and improving the well-being of its members.
Financing the Project
We need your help to raise the more than £600,000* needed to buy the Swan and carry out urgent repairs and renovation work.
We are hoping to raise a significant amount of this through a community share offer. We have also applied for grants and secured a £24,999 West Kent Rural Grant.
But we really need your help to raise £25,000 on Crowdfunder if we are to save this historic building and setting for future generations to enjoy.
* More information and our business plan can be found on our website.
How will the money raised be used?
- Purchase the Swan on the Green and its car park.
- Carry out essential refurbishment of the building.
- Carry out priority projects including wheelchair, disabled and elderly access.
Why Crowdfund?
With just 350 residents we are one of the smallest parishes in the country and we are facing a huge challenge. While we have substantial local support and are working very hard to secure additional funds we need to raise around £600,000 to keep the Swan alive for another three centuries.
We really, really need your help!
Please help us towards our goal
Every pound you contribute brings us one step closer to rescuing this important local resource and protecting it from development into housing.
Every pound brings us closer to keeping Pop Larkin’s pub alive!