Old Crown pub set to star in BBC2's Money Programme

By Chris Story

Last updated 15:11, Monday, 06 October 2008

A unique Cumbrian pub which was once on the brink of closure and has succeeded despite the global financial crisis is set for further national recognition.

Royal seal of approval: Prince Charles enjoying a pint and a joke at the Old Crown in Hesket Newmarket last year. The credit crunch and smoking bar hasn’t affected the pub’s trade – unlike many other hostelries around the country

The Old Crown at Hesket Newmarket was bought by a co-operative of its customers in 2003 to save it from the threat of closure or from falling into the hands of a pub chain.

And it has gone on to defy the odds to continue to make money – despite problems dogging the bulk of the pub trade.

Its success will be highlighted as part of BBC2’s Money Programme, which will be filming at the Old Crown tomorrow. The programme is investigating issues facing the licensing trade.

A programme spokesman said: “We are looking at pubs that have managed to buck the trend.

“The Old Crown has managed to do that. We are going to visit them to see how they are getting on. They are managing to survive and thrive in quite difficult trading conditions.”

Julian Ross, chairman of the customers’ co-operative that runs the picturesque pub, revealed that turnover there is continuing to rise.

At the same time, profits at other pubs have plummeted with the impact of the smoking ban and the credit crunch among the factors being blamed for the downturn.

While the Old Crown has won national praise for the way locals rallied to save their pub, Mr Ross admitted that when the co-operative was formed it was not their intention to come up with a showpiece business model.

He said: “What we tried to do was save a pub that is so special.

“It seems to have been a role model that works and that can be rolled out – not just to pubs, but to other businesses. It is gratifying to see that.”

Mr Ross also believes that the media attention surrounding the buyout and subsequent success of the Old Crown has also helped.

The Money Programme’s feature on the Old Crown will be broadcast in December.