(Image: UGC)
A community has transformed and brough a village pub back to life.
The Punch Bowl Inn in Burton in Lonsdale reopened in December 2025 after a community-led campaign to save the pub from permanent closure.
Located under the shadow of Ingleborough, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the pub had closed in February 2024.
Sir Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, visited the pub on October 5 to meet with residents and management.
He toured the refurbished 18th-century coaching inn, including its beer garden and community allotment.
Punch Bowl Inn manager Lee Cowell and Julian Smith with a pint behind the bar (Image: UGC)
Peter Thompson, chair of the Punch Bowl management committee, said: "It has been an incredible challenge to purchase the Punch Bowl for our community and to breathe life back into the building.
"It really has been a way of bringing people together either as volunteers and now as customers.
"In so many ways we have exceeded our expectations and hopefully we will continue to do so."
The pub is now owned by the Punch Bowl Community Benefit Society, which raised £320,000 through a community share offer.
The funds came from 360 shareholders and enabled the group to buy the pub on July 4, 2025.
Produce from the allotment is used in the Punch Bowl restaurant (Image: UGC)
The reopening in December followed a major refurbishment.
Additional funding was secured through grants, including the Government’s Community Ownership Fund and support from the Co-op.
More than 100 volunteers contributed to the renovation.
They helped with painting, decorating and creating the pub garden and allotments.
The allotment behind the Punch Bowl where food is grown for the pub's restaurant (Image: UGC)
Major building work was carried out by local contractors.
The pub now serves food made with produce grown by volunteers in the community allotment.
It has also created eight full and part-time jobs, including opportunities for young people.
The Punch Bowl has quickly re-established itself as a social hub for the village.
It hosts music events, quiz nights, craft sessions, and poetry evenings.
Mr Thompson said the project would not have been possible without external support.
He said: "This could not have happened without the support of several grants, not least COF funding.
"Sir Julian supported our COF grant application from day one – many thanks for your help."
Sir Julian said: "It was fantastic to visit the Punch Bowl Inn and see what has been achieved by the Burton in Lonsdale Community Inn group.
"This is a remarkable example of a community coming together to protect an important local asset and create something for the benefit of residents and visitors.
"The pub has been at the heart of village life for more than 300 years, and I am pleased to see it up and running thanks to local determination and hard work.
"I would like to thank Peter Thompson, Kevin Coyne, the directors, staff, committee members and the many volunteers who have helped bring this project to life.
"The dedication shown by the volunteers who contributed over 1,400 hours of work is very impressive and shows the strength of community spirit in Burton in Lonsdale, while also paying tribute to its pottery heritage.
"I encourage people from across our area to come and visit, enjoy the hospitality on offer, including food grown in the on-site allotment, and support this outstanding community-owned business.
"The Punch Bowl is not only a wonderful pub, but also a great example of how local people can work together to safeguard the facilities and services that matter most to rural communities."
Burton in Lonsdale, with a population of 579, has a strong tradition of community action.
Residents have previously saved the village shop, established sports facilities, and created a community orchard and picnic area.
The Punch Bowl is just the latest success in a long line of community-led projects.
Sir Julian Smith has frequently called for action in Parliament to protect pubs from closure.
The Punch Bowl Inn now stands as a testament to what communities can achieve when they work together.