Regulars of the Trafalgar Freehouse in South-Wimbledon have raised over £480,000 since early September, to purchase the 170-year-old pub from owners who planned to redevelop.
The ‘Save the Traf’ campaign’s initial target of £250,000 was reached in the fundraiser’s first two weeks, with a new ambition of £530,000 – covering the purchase of the freehold plus expenses – set for November 17.
The owners, Adenbuild Construction, had their proposals to demolish the building rejected by the planning inspectorate due to its ‘historic value’, but the move raised concerns over the venue’s long-term future.
During negotiations between campaigners and Adenbuild, it was agreed that local people could purchase the property through a community benefit society (CBS) – a type of not-for-profit organisation run by shareholders, on a one-member-one-vote basis.
A community share offer was presented to locals, giving them the opportunity to become shareholders in the pub, and was expected to raise £251,000.
Rebecca Coleman, a member of the CBS, noted the scheme has overachieved, and said: “It has obviously done a million miles better than we ever could have hoped.
“It’s a testament to how many people love the pub and want to see it succeed.”
On the importance of the move, she said: “There was an overwhelming feeling that the pub wasn’t safe until it was in the hands of people who wanted to run it as a pub, for future generations, and to invest in the building.”
Over three-hundred people have bought into the project, with donations ranging between £250 – the minimum amount necessary to own a share – to £25,000, with multiple five-figure donations.
Coleman, 29, says the campaign has been well-supported by the local community throughout the process, with over one-hundred attendees at their first meeting in April.
She said: “It was quite a show of support, it shows how strong the community is and how people want that real world, tangible connection with one another.”
In her view, pub chains operated by the largest breweries “can’t match the feeling and sentiment of keeping something going that you have a stake in.”
Under the plans, popular landlord Oli Carter-Esdale will remain responsible for the pub’s day-to-day management, continuing on his ten-year lease.
He reopened the pub following a period of closure in 2023.
The Trafalgar has received accolades for its wide range of cask ales, being named London’s second best pub in the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) 2026 awards and topping the South-West London category.
The campaign was the subject of a six-part online documentary series by The Lost Pint Project, an initiative created to protect pubs and promote their cultural value.
Featured image credit: Will Elliot
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