The Future of the Plowden Arms
Shiplake Parish council wishes to reapply for an Assets of Community Value (ACV) for The Plowden Arms, Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 4BX.
In order to do this, we must provide evidence of social and community value.
We have invited all residents of Shiplake and surrounding areas who have previously used the Plowden Arms, or might use it in the future, to complete a questionnaire, the results of which will be used in our resubmission to SODC.
Plowden Arms Questionnaire Summary Highlights
A very high 211 people responded. 79% came from Shiplake Parish, 10.5% from other RG9 postcodes and 10.5% beyond. 95% of respondents want the pub and garden to remain as is. Only 2% wanted it changed to all housing. None wanted a pub without a garden. 71% of respondents would support a community bid for the Plowden Arms, only 6% would not.
Respondents thought it very important to have a functioning, well run pub as a social and community hub in the Shiplake-Shiplake Cross area: On a scale of 0-5, with 0 not important and 5 very important, average score was a high 4.67.
A loyal, but latent, clientele exists with much potential for future owners, if it was as well run as many other local pubs: 73% of respondents had used the Plowden Arms for over 10 years; the stated intention to use it for drinks, meals, social and community events was very high.
Shiplake Parish Council thanks everyone for their time and thoughts in completing this questionnaire and will now reapply for ACV armed with this data and the very many full verbatim comments written by respondents. You can see the full results tables HERE
Chris Penrose
Shiplake Parish Council
Article created / last edited: 19 October 2020
