In a heartwarming act of community defiance, five friends have rescued a beloved 19th-century pub in Kent from being lost forever. The women, known as the Forester Five, pooled their savings to buy The Forester in Deal for £470,000 at auction in July, saving it from likely demolition or conversion into luxury flats.
From Sea Dip to Pub Owners: An Unlikely Rescue Mission
The idea was born during a chilly sea swim, as the group spotted the neglected seafront building with its peeling blue paint. What began as a joke soon became a serious plan. By August, Jane Kesley, 61, Becky Artmonsky, 55, Pascale Colony, 53, Megan Smith, 45, and Gemma Jackson, 45, had become the proud new owners, despite none having ever pulled a pint before.
Their move has been met with joy by locals, who hail The Forester as "the only real pub in Deal." The friends are bucking a devastating national trend; last year, one pub a day closed in England and Wales due to crippling cost pressures.
Gemma Jackson, who works in financial services tech, explained their motivation: "They’re bought and turned into houses by property developers, it’s sad. We couldn’t bear for the same thing to happen... The Great British pub... is the beating heart of the community. To lose them would be a travesty."
Breathing New Life into a Community Hub
Taking on the pub has been a baptism of fire. The quintet have kept their full-time jobs but have thrown themselves into the venture, retaining all six existing staff. They have already made physical improvements, repainting the exterior a smart green and replacing windows.
More importantly, they have focused on reinforcing the pub's role as a vital social space. They host quiz nights, bingo, comedy, and live music. A 'Dip & Sip' event for sea swimmers on the first Sunday of each month has proven a huge hit, with up to 70 people packing in for coffee and pastries.
"You will never go in and not find someone to chat to," says entrepreneur Becky Artmonsky, comparing the atmosphere to the famous Cheers theme song.
A Legacy of Female Leadership Continues
Unbeknownst to many, the new owners are continuing a long tradition. A plaque at the entrance lists previous female landlords dating back to Charlotte Ralph in 1886. The current team is keen to maintain a welcoming environment for all.
"Pubs can be seen as a male place, and we wanted to make sure it was an environment for everyone," says dressmaker Megan Smith. The pub now regularly hosts walking groups, gardening clubs, and photographers alongside its traditional regulars.
The story of the Forester Five offers a glimmer of hope amid the crisis facing UK pubs. It underscores the powerful role these establishments play beyond just serving drinks, acting as crucial antidotes to loneliness and community anchors. Their success is a potent example of what can be achieved when people take the fate of their local into their own hands.
