MORE THAN A PUB
At The Bevy, we’re all about that warm and welcoming pub atmosphere, and we’ve got a structure that’s one of a kind.
We proudly operate as an Industrial Provident Society and have a committed committee, consisting of at least 75% of people from the area. It’s this distinct setup that makes us stand out; we’re not your everyday pub – we’re a genuine community centre.
At The Bevy, it’s all about the collective effort. Our dedicated committee, together with our efficient manager and hardworking staff, ensures the smooth day-to-day running of our beloved pub. But what truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to community engagement. Our heart and soul are in the diverse range of community activities we offer. From Seniors Club, crochet, and plant sales to disability discos and free family activities, we’ve got it all. Plus, you’ll find the usual fun like karaoke, quiz nights, darts, pool, bar billiards, toad in the hole teams, and even a table tennis table in the garden.
During the pandemic, we stepped up by collaborating with various organizations to provide meals on wheels, offering support right from day one of the lockdown. And here’s the real magic – our wonderful regulars play a significant role in maintaining our community spirit. They help keep our garden looking fantastic, pitch in to turn the rocket composter, fix lights and doors, and even jump behind the bar to lend a hand during busy times. That’s what we believe a community pub should be all about – coming together, helping out, and creating a welcoming space for everyone.
BLOOD, SWEAT AND BEERS – THE HISTORY OF THE BEVY
When the old Bevendean was closed down, most people thought that was it for good. Another estate with no pub. But a group of determined, pig-headed headed, wouldn’t-take-no-for-an-answer residents held a public meeting to see if people were interested in reopening it as a community pub.
Meanwhile East Brighton Trust stepped in to buy the building so it would remain in community use. They converted the upstairs into flats for local people while putting the bottom of the site out to tender.
The Bevy committee coined the phrase – more than a pub – and after door knocking, consultations and nicking ideas of other community pubs – came up with a plan to re-open it as more than just a pub.
Now all they had to do was find the funds to do this!
They put together a prospectus and launched a share scheme at St. Andrews Church Hall. ‘Buy a pub for Christmas’ became the rallying cry.
In total over 800 shareholders joined but keeping shares at just £10 so everyone could afford it, meant we only raised £50,000 – way short of the £200,000 we needed to refurbish the empty shell of a building.
They put together a funding bid and were successful thanks in no part to over 30 organisations – from brownies to Albion in the Community to Age Concern – writing letters of support, showing that the pub would be for everyone.
As always happens, building costs and unexpected extras meant we ran out of cash and had to continue to fundraise while a small army of volunteers spent many a weekend painting and fixing the place to save costs.
Until, finally after four years of campaigning the Bevy opened its doors to the public on the 12th December 2014, becoming the one and still only community pub on a housing estate in the UK. Cheers.
THE FUTURE
As we like to shout from the rooftops the Bevy is the only community owned pub on an estate in the UK. It was a miracle we ever opened – and 9 years later despite millions pumped into the community pub sector we are still the only one. In an ideal world the money from the bar should help fund the community side of things, but we’ve never really turned a profit.
Like pubs up and down the country it’s becoming a real struggle. Add to this grants drying up, the cost of living crisis and inflation through the roof with people having even less money to pop out for a pint. Pubs are closing across the country – even Wetherspoons are shutting down branches.
We are always looking for people to join the committee – or just get involved more. Our free Thursday Family activities are a roaring success but it’s exhausting – and occasionally it would be good to have some funds to hire in entertainers who aren’t chickens! Would you’re company be willing to sponsor these activities? Could a group of parents get together to help run them?
Post pandemic and numbers are still quite low for our Friday Seniors lunch club where for just £5 you get a meal, pudding and hot drink. Could you help promote it? Sponsor it?
We want our monthly disability disco to be a trailblazer, where people with disabilities run the show and the pub with everyone invited. Watch this space.
We are trying to get monthly health drop in clinics so people can see a nurse and take pressure of the NHS.
We have launched a last Saturday morning of the month Meet Me At the Bevy with a range of activities, hosting Bevendean parkrun, breakfast baps and mini plant sales.
An easy way to support us, is to hire us – you sing it, we’ll host it! Everything from wakes, weddings and parties, to cookery classes and team building meetings.
SUPPORT THE BEVY
The Bevy is a Community Benefit Society and we exist to make a social impact. Any profits we make from the pub are ploughed back into the projects we run and support, it’s only thanks to the generosity of so many people that we are able to do what we do.
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Join the Bevy community.
The Bevy
Monday: 5pm – 11pm
Tuesday: 4pm – 11pm
Wednesday: 4pm – 11pm
Thursday: 3pm – 11pm
Friday: 12pm – 11pm
Saturday: 1pm – 11pm
Sunday: 1pm – 8pm
CONTACT
Tel: 01273 281009
Email: contact@thebevy.co.uk
Find us:
The Bevy
50 Hillside,
Brighton BN2 4TF
© 2023 The Bevy – Blood, sweat and beers