Below is a summary of information given by Grizedale Arts (GA) director Adam Sutherland at an open meeting held at The Farmer’s Arms on Sept. 30th. The purpose of the meeting was to explain GA’s immediate plans for the building and invite voluntary / community / external business take up of the running of the Stable Bar.
Purpose of the Meeting
The meeting was held to outline Grizedale Arts’ (GA) current position regarding The Farmer’s Arms and to invite expressions of interest from community members, voluntary groups, and local businesses to operate the Stable Bar on a self-sustaining basis.
Background
Grizedale Arts, a registered charity, purchased The Farmer’s Arms in 2021 for £425,000. The property had previously been listed by the Council as an Asset of Community Value after the brewery owners were unable to lease it as a viable business.
The purchase was made possible through:
- A loan from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) – covering more than 50% of the purchase price.
- 35 individual loan stock investors – participating in a now-discontinued government scheme offering tax incentives and fixed-term interest returns.
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Private donations – accounting for roughly 5% of the total cost.
To date, 20% of investors have been repaid, with a further 40% scheduled for repayment in 2026. GA is in active discussions with the AHF to increase its mortgage early next year to help fund these repayments.
Since acquiring the property, GA has invested approximately £150,000 of its own reserves in refurbishment, staffing, and improvements to the building and grounds. This investment has been supported by grants and income-generating activities such as the monthly Gardening School, the Cold Store project, and the Community Orchard.
Current Business Structure
The bar operates under Farmers Arms Ltd, a trading subsidiary wholly owned by Grizedale Arts. This structure is necessary because, as a charity, GA cannot directly run a commercial bar as this activity falls outside its charitable purposes.
Despite several operational models, including a period when the bar was leased to Farmyard Brewery. Farmers Arms Ltd has struggled to achieve financial viability. The business has only broken even during periods of substantial volunteer contribution.
Over the past two years, much of the bar and kitchen operation has been staffed by unpaid GA employees. For example, Adam Sutherland personally worked four 10-hour kitchen shifts per week alongside his directorial duties until August 2025, when this arrangement became unsustainable. Subsequent paid staffing again demonstrated that the business could not operate profitably under its current model.
The guest rooms and self-catering flat have maintained only modest occupancy levels, achieving full bookings mainly during festivals or weddings. The accommodation would require significant investment in facilities and soundproofing to command higher rates.
To sustain operations, GA has extended an internal loan of approximately £70,000 to Farmers Arms Ltd. Both the Charity Commission and Arts Council England (GA’s core funder) are fully aware of this arrangement and Farmers Arms Ltd will continue to repay it through profits from private functions, events, and external catering.
Future Plans
Grizedale Arts will continue to run its arts and community programme at The Farmer’s Arms. Under charity law, GA may open the bar as an ancillary service during such events (e.g. talks, performances, or festivals). These openings remain open to all members of the public.
Planned core activity through to July 2026 includes:
- Thursday: Soup Talks: Bar open 5–10pm
- Friday: Live Music Programme: Bar open 5–10pm
- Saturday: CafeTeen Youth Arts Café: Café open 10am–4pm (from 1 November)
GA remains keen to see the Stable Bar open more frequently but only if this can be achieved on a financially independent basis.
Invitation for Proposals
Grizedale Arts welcomes approaches from:
- Community groups
- Local individuals
- Businesses
- Members of the GA Board
Any future operator would need to:
- Run the bar as a self-sustaining business
- Cover all costs including staff, cleaning, supplies, and a contribution to core building services
- Work collaboratively with GA’s existing arts programme
Farmers Arms Ltd will continue as a GA-managed trading company dedicated to repaying its existing internal loan over a five-year period, primarily through events and external catering.
A new bar operator would not be responsible for any portion of this loan.
A new bar operator would not be responsible for any portion of this loan.
Next Steps
Interested parties are encouraged to contact Grizedale Arts directly for further information, site visits, or discussions about potential operating models. GA will provide as much information and support as possible to those wishing to explore a viable, community-led future for the Stable Bar.
