In a heartening act of community defiance, five friends in Kent have rescued their beloved local pub from potential demolition, bucking a devastating national trend of closures.
The Plunge That Saved a Pub
While swimming in the chilly sea off Deal, a group of five women regularly passed a dilapidated seafront pub with peeling blue paint. What began as a joke about buying it turned into a serious mission. In July, after pooling their savings, friends Jane, Becky, Pascale, Megan, and Gemma – now known as the 'Forester Five' – successfully bought The Forester at auction for £470,000.
Their purchase saved the 19th-century freehouse from being turned into luxury flats or demolished, a fate befalling many pubs across England and Wales, where one pub shuts every day due to cost pressures. The move has been met with joy and relief from locals, who hail it as the only real pub left in Deal.
A Baptism of Fire and Community Spirit
None of the five women had any prior experience in the trade. Gemma Jackson, 45, admitted the first pint she ever pulled was in their own pub, learning the craft from regulars. Despite the steep learning curve, they have kept on all six existing staff while balancing their full-time day jobs.
They have breathed new life into the building, repainting it a fresh green, replacing windows, and updating the wine list. More importantly, they have focused on fostering the pub's role as a vital community hub. Pascale Colony, 53, noted it acts as an extension of the regulars' lounges, while Jane Kesley, 61, shared how one customer brings in homemade sausage rolls weekly for others.
To attract new customers and fund further renovations, they have introduced a packed events calendar including quiz nights, bingo, comedy, and live music. Their 'Dip & Sip' event for sea swimmers on the first Sunday of each month has been a roaring success, symbolising the new energy they've brought.
Continuing a Legacy of Female Leadership
The Forester Five are continuing a long, unbroken tradition. A new plaque at the entrance lists previous female landlords dating back to Charlotte Ralph in 1886. Megan Smith, 45, emphasised their commitment to making the pub a welcoming space for everyone, countering the perception of pubs as male-dominated environments.
Their story aligns with the Mirror's 'Your Pub Needs You' campaign, which calls for better support for pubs as crucial community spaces. The campaign is backed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose government has pointed to a £4.3 billion support package for the hospitality sector.
For the five friends, the venture has forged an unbreakable bond. Gemma reflected on the profound sense of community they've nurtured, watching friendships form and solidify within the pub's walls. In saving The Forester, they haven't just preserved a building; they've secured the beating heart of their community for generations to come.
