Loudwater's Derehams Inn pub could be saved by the public

The Derehams Inn, which is based along Derehams Lane in the village, ceased from trading in 2021 after its long-time owners sold the business to a private buyer.

The sale was agreed on the basis that the pub would remain active and not be turned into development.

However, this was ignored after the purchase had been made, as plans to transform the boozer into flats were put forward to Buckinghamshire Council.

The pub closed in 2021 (Image: NA)

The proposals were rejected in 2023, and members of the Loudwater community are hopeful they can collectively purchase the pub and return it to its former glory.  

Campaigner Richard Smith told the Free Press: “Everyone is feeling very positive.

“Since Tuesday [July 16, when there was a public meeting about the future of the pub at High Wycombe Rugby Club], we received pledges approaching £100,000.

“We have not gone really to the wider community and haven’t started campaigning yet, but we've received that number of pledges.

Maggie (left) and Graham (right) owned the pub for several years before the latter's sudden passing in 2020. Graham then died in 2022 (Image: NA)

“I've also spoken to several people who have intimated that they wish to pledge, in some cases fairly substantial sums, but at the moment those have not been formally submitted.

“I'm only talking about the pledges that have been submitted.

“We feel that we should be able to raise funding.”

The pub had been owned by husband and wife team Graham and Maggie Sturgess for well over 20 years.

But after the latter’s passing in December 2020 at the age of 61, Mr Sturgess sold his beloved pub in 2021.

He sadly died in March 2022.

Since then, the current owner and the public have been in a long-running dispute to save the former free house from demolition – a campaign which succeeded in August 2023.

Four months earlier in April 2023, it had been re-listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which ultimately prevented the pub from being knocked down.

It has remained untouched since, but Mr Smith hopes the campaign can change the Derehams Inn's fortunes.

As it stands, there are NO active pubs in Loudwater.

He continued: “I was a regular user of the pub.

“I've lived in Loudwater all my life and currently reside in a house that's actually behind the pub.

“It’s all very local as it’s about a one-minute walk from my house.

“Everyone here misses both Graham, Margaret and the pub itself.

“Sadly, the pub is now an eyesore as it's so run down, but we’re hoping to change that.”

Members of the public can join the campaign to try and reinstate the pub.

To have your say or make a pledge, go to www.derehamsinn.org