We are very fortunate to have many viable and successful initiatives running in and from The Farmer’s Arms.
However it’s with regret that from July 1st 2026 we are no longer able to open the Stable Bar regularly, although it will continue to be in use at many of our public events and private functions. We will consequently also stop our evening food service from July 1st. With the BBC recently reporting that around 2 British pubs a day are closing down, it won’t be a surprise to many that running a bar is a challenge right now.
We’re aware of some online misinformation about the pub’s status and – unfortunately too – online trolling of our organisation, trustees and staff, so it feels important to restate the facts here:
The Farmer’s Arms is owned outright by Grizedale Arts, which is a registered charity. As a charity, it cannot legally operate a bar, and the separate business set up to do so has never broken even, nor been profitable, despite the efforts of many good staff, and more recently, volunteers. This is unsustainable. At a public meeting in September 2025, licensee and GA director Adam Sutherland expressed his disappointment and sadness at the then-critical financial situation, appealing to the community members present to bring forward ideas to increase business and voluntary / community involvement. (For details on this meeting and its outcomes, see this Blog post here.). We are very grateful to the small local community volunteer group who subsequently banded together and staffed the Saturday evening bar across recent months, but unfortunately local and visitor trade did not pick up significantly, despite consistent Thursday – Saturday opening and many successful now-regular events such as New Year’s Eve and Burn’s Night.
The Farmer’s Arms is owned outright by Grizedale Arts, which is a registered charity. As a charity, it cannot legally operate a bar, and the separate business set up to do so has never broken even, nor been profitable, despite the efforts of many good staff, and more recently, volunteers. This is unsustainable. At a public meeting in September 2025, licensee and GA director Adam Sutherland expressed his disappointment and sadness at the then-critical financial situation, appealing to the community members present to bring forward ideas to increase business and voluntary / community involvement. (For details on this meeting and its outcomes, see this Blog post here.). We are very grateful to the small local community volunteer group who subsequently banded together and staffed the Saturday evening bar across recent months, but unfortunately local and visitor trade did not pick up significantly, despite consistent Thursday – Saturday opening and many successful now-regular events such as New Year’s Eve and Burn’s Night.
Thursday community lunch will continue and Cafe Teen remains open every Saturday from 11am – 4pm for lunches and great home baking, and we hope you’ll support this fantastic initiative that backs local young people and starts them on a rewarding working and creative life. Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night are already being planned, so save those dates too.
We thank everyone who has supported our journey since we purchased the pub in ’21, and we look forward to seeing you at the pub soon.
