Last ‘all or nothing’ call to save Torrington landmark as appeal nears total

A community bid to save the historic Globe Hotel in Great Torrington is so close to its target with less than a week to go.

The appeal target of £230,000 is just £20,000 short of its goal to save and reopen the building for the people of the town, with the deadline just six days away at 5pm on Saturday, August 18.

If The Globe Hotel Community Benefit Society effort is successful, it means the £526,000 of Levelling Up funding allocated by the previous government can be accessed to turn the dream of restoring and reopening the Globe into a reality.

READ MORE: ‘Time running out’ to secure Torrington’s Globe Hotel for the community

The CBS is a community cooperative owned and controlled by its members and through community shares people can become co-owners of The Globe, with investments starting at £50.

The trustees want to use local talent, local contractors and local produce in preparation for the opening of the hotel restaurant and rooms, which is envisaged to be in 2027 following a full refurbishment.

“In true Torrington style we will be pushing to open the bar area as soon as possible,” said Jayne Wafforne, a local business owner and trustee of The Globe.

“We’ve set ourselves a deadline of pulling our first pints in the ground floor front bar area by May Fair day next year. The £526,000 of Levelling Up funding already secured can be drawn down once we complete the purchase.

“Realistically the hotel restaurant and bedrooms will take more time and further funding and we are already in talks with various funding bodies.

“We are particularly keen to ensure we develop the right training facilities so we can offer on-site real-world apprenticeships.”

Above: Sir Geoffrey Cox MP visited The Globe Hotel and met some of the trustees and project team. L-R Bill Blythe, Doug Smith, Mark Keeley, Sir Geoffrey Cox, Penny Maisey, Jayne Wafforne and Rachel Kelly.

Torridge and West Devon MP Sir Geoffrey Cox recently visited The Globe to meet the team and he praised the project’s local backing and ambitious vision for the dilapidated Grade II listed hotel.

He said: “The community has really rallied around The Globe, with so many people committing their own money to invest in this project.

To have achieved more than £210,000 is outstanding; I urge everyone to get behind this endeavour and help the team raise over their minimum target to purchase the building. Let’s make this dream a reality. 

“Having a hotel of this calibre in the town will be a tremendous asset, bringing visitors to our wonderful area, supporting other local attractions such as RHS Rosemoor and The Plough Arts Centre and it will be a flagship for local produce and talent. It’s a win win situation.”

The Globe team will be at hotel from 11am on Saturday, August 18 until the deadline.

People can review the Standard Mark-accredited Share Offer Prospectus and full business plan on the Crowdfunder page at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-globe-hotel-torrington and the project website at www.theglobetorrington.co.uk