Friends of the Elm Tree: Our Progress

• On 14th July 2025 the The Elm Tree Inn reopened for the first time since it shut in November 2023. We simply can’t thank those who contributed to the fundraising campaign enough. The Friends of the Elm Tree Inn will now work with the new tenants (Katharine and James Parsons) to keep the pub thriving for all those who helped us save it, and will continue raising funds through shares and donations to reduce the amount of loans we needed to complete the purchase.
• A lot of hard work went on behind the scenes with help from volunteers and local businesses to get the pub ready to reopen.
• The first FOTETI Annual Meeting was held on 25th June 2025, and shareholders elected a new Management Committee.
• In June 2025 local artists generously donated artwork for our Art Auction which raised £2777, we are grateful to all of the artists and to all of our supporters who bid for the artworks. We are proud to say that 4 pieces were shipped to some of our supporters in the USA! 
• The purchase of the Elm Tree Inn was completed on the 23rd May.
• With support from local businesses and supporters we organised a Prize Draw that raised £5000. Unfortunately this was not open to our overseas friends as the shipping of some of prizes would have been prohibitive. We are grateful to all entrants.
• In the press: The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, Sunday Express, Dorset Echo, and West Dorset Magazine all covered our story.
• TV & Online: BBC South today, Radio Solent, ITV South West News, and GB News all covered our story.
• Our Share offer and Donations pages were launched in conjunction with Crowdfunder
• In January 2025 we launched a social media campaign that included the hugely popular Gen-Z inspired TikTok videos, which were viewed millions of times around the world.
• Friends Of The Elm Tree Inn achieved FCA approval allowing us to issue Shares.
• Our Facebook page followers continues to grow in numbers.
• The Weymouth Land Train gave us the use of the Land Train on the 30th of November to advertise the campaign at the Christmas Lights Switch on in Weymouth.
• A property valuation was conducted on the building and land. This was carried out by Symonds and Sampson without charge.
• A full survey has been completed on the property.
• Amicus Law agreed to conduct the conveyancing for the Elm Tree Inn and drafting of the Tenancy Agreement without charge.
• The Business Plan is complete and loaded to the website
• The Share Prospectus and Share application form are published and available to download on this website.
• On 21 November 2024 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) notified us of our registration as a Community Benefit Society. Our registration number is 9439 and our registered name is Friends of The Elm Tree Inn Limited.
• The group have been in communication with other community owned pubs to learn from their stories and experiences of this process.
• A number of meetings have been held with the owner.

Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. friendsoftheelmtree@gmail.com