The story of a Chester village's only pub saved by its community
They spent over a decade fighting to save it
Campaigners who fought to save Ashton Hayes’s only pub, The Golden Lion
A defiant community fought for a decade to save its village's only remaining pub. The Golden Lion in Ashton Hayes, near Chester, shut its doors for good in 2013.
The 300-year-old building was at risk of being turned into private housing and lain empty for 12 years. The community rallied together after its closure and applied for the pub to be registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
They have spent over a decade campaigning to save the pub. By raising almost £250,000 - including share offers from as far as Australia and a £360,000 grant from the now discontinued Community Ownership Fund - they finally completed the purchase of the Golden Lion in June 2024.
The next year was spent undertaking a mammoth renovation of the pub including solar panel installation and uncovering a hidden cellar. The Golden Lion finally reopened its doors and started serving pints again on August 7.
Now, CAMRA has named the Ashton Hayes Community Hub Ltd (AHCHL), who saved the Golden Lion, as joint runner-up in its Pub Saving Awards 2025. The Pub Saving Awards celebrate communities who have rallied together to fight for their local, saving the boozer from conversion or even demolition.
Hugo Deynem, Chair of AHCHL, said: “This recognition reflects the collective commitment, hard work and determination shown by everyone involved in preserving The Golden Lion as a valued community asset. The pub now continues to serve as a social hub, supporting local life and bringing people together.”
Lance Warburton, Golden Lion tenant added: “I feel truly honoured to be part of such a committed and supportive community, and to play a role in ensuring the pub remains a welcoming place at the heart of village life.”
Paul Ainsworth, Pub Saving Award Coordinator, said: “These community champions and heritage heroes deserve to be applauded. I continue to be amazed by the dedication and grit of these campaigners, who spend years or even decades campaigning to save pubs. However, if we want more communities to be able to do this, they need support from the government.
"The Community Ownership Fund provided cash for groups to take ownership and the running of community facilities that would otherwise be sold, converted or demolished. This was wound up by the government and has not been directly replaced. The forthcoming Right to Buy scheme must come alongside a dedicated programme of advice, guidance and funding to make sure community pubs go from strength to strength.”
The pub will be presented with the award at an event organised by the local CAMRA branch.