Marketing expert helps save 267-year-old pub
A campaign group, named the Salvation Squad, agreed to buy the New Inn pub for £312,500 after its owners Enterprise Inns offered it for sale on the open market last July.
Boyes, who works as a client services director at Leader Communications, played a key role in organising the campaign and setting up the Salvation Squad steering committee. The group used various fundraising methods including a crowdfunding campaign and an investment share offer. And before Christmas, the group formed a choir to record The Holly and The Ivy to sell to raise funds.
Boyle used her 20 years of marketing expertise to create media interest in the campaign, which included local and regional print, broadcast media as well as generating support via social media and a dedicated website.
She said: "The vision, all along, has been to not only save the pub but to turn it into a thriving hub for the local community. It’s been a really positive experience to use my design and communication skills for such a worthy campaign, ensuring that the village community has a 'hub’ for all to enjoy today and for the future.
“The campaign has involved a lot of hard work but by creating the right identity and raising the profile, it has proved extremely beneficial in raising £340,000 in just one month!”
The New Inn, which reopened earlier this month, was first established as a coaching inn in 1750.
