Castlethorpe Community Space CIC

16/04/2026

Exciting Opportunity: Café & Bar Tenancy
at The Pavilion, Castlethorpe

We're looking for an experienced hospitality operator to take on the tenancy of The Pavilion at Castlethorpe Sports Ground, a modern, well-equipped café and lounge bar at the heart of our village community.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a proven track record in hospitality who wants to build something lasting in a supportive, engaged community with no local competition.

A full prospectus is available on request.

If you're interested or know someone who might be, please get in touch at:

[email protected]

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 6th May.

06/04/2026

Members’ Update on Pavilion Developments

The Directors want to give Members an update on the situation at The Pavilion.

The Agreement with the Tenant was terminated on 18th February. The Directors inspected the Premises​ and found them in poor condition and the water had been disconnected. A lot of work has been done emptying the Pavilion of the remaining property of the previous tenant.

​Current Condition & Essential Repairs
​Several areas require attention before the facility can be reopened or marketed to new tenants:

- Kitchen & Cafe: The kitchen requires professional cleaning and a full service of all equipment. This is now in hand.

- Interior Maintenance: the chairs and stools have been steam cleaned to remove extensive staining. There is cosmetic damage to the paintwork throughout the building that needs repair. A decorator has been identified and will start work shortly.

- Utilities: The water has been reconnected. The Parish Council has agreed to take over the water and electricity supplies until a new tenant is found so that the sports clubs can use the facilities such as the toilets and tennis court lights.

​Timeline & Next Steps
​We are working to bring the Pavilion back into a presentable position as quickly as possible:

- Re-advertising: Once repairs are complete, the Pavilion will be re-advertised to prospective tenants. We are looking for a financially sound tenant with experience of both catering and bars.

- Expected Reopening: Due to the extent of the work required, it is unlikely the Pavilion will fully reopen until the summer.

​We will continue to provide updates over the coming weeks as further progress is made.




Gordon Fleming
Company Secretary

07/02/2026

The Annual General Meeting of Castlethorpe Community Space CIC was held in the Village Hall on 5th February 2026

The Meeting was live streamed to YouTube and can be viewed on the Parish Council channel at https://youtube.com/live/ioEal3RLCsI

The Chair, Steve Bradbury, opened the Meeting, welcomed everyone and gave a brief background to the Parish Council building the Pavilion and the creation of Castlethorpe Community Space CIC (CCS).

Phil Ayles, as a Director of CCS, gave a presentation to Members on behalf of the Board explaining the structure, duties and finances of CCS leading to a discussion of the viability of the Pavilion, future operating options and next steps.

There was a wide ranging discussion covering the service that the village might want at the Pavilion and a number of suggestions which the Directors will consider.

Steve Bradbury announced the result of the vote on the Special Resolution to limit the number of Directors to eight which was 118 in favour (92.2%), 4 against and 6 abstentions. Motion carried.

The Directors then all stepped down and the Company Secretary, Gordon Fleming, announced the results of the election for Directors.

The following candidates were elected:

Philip Ayles 100 votes
Geordie Barrie 65 votes
Stephen Bradbury 83 votes
Gordon Fleming 74 votes
Debbie Lloyd 60 votes
Matt Malloy 76 votes
Catherine McDermott 89 votes
Luke Stacey 69 votes

Ian Horne, Kevin McDermott and Jayn Oliff were not elected.

Steve Bradbury congratulated the Directors on their election and thanked the unsuccessful candidates for standing and expressed his hope that they would be available to use their skills to help CCS over the coming period.

The Meeting was then closed.

This was the inaugural Annual General Meeting held on 5th February 2026

03/02/2026

The Agenda and Voting Forms have been sent to Members of Castlethorpe Community Space CIC prior to the AGM in the Village Hall at 7:30pm on Thursday. However, there have been a number of rejections from the registered email addresses.

If you are a Member and have not received the email, please check your spam folder and also make sure you allow [email protected] as a legitimate email. Alternatively you can use the online Voting Form to vote for the Special Resolution and to elect the Directors at https://forms.gle/oxXYRku2Xjhttcb87 Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday 4th February.

Each member can only vote once but if you share an email address with your spouse or partner they can use this email address to vote as well.

The meeting will be livestreamed on the Parish Council YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/-m9u but if you want to speak, you will need to come to the Village Hall.

10/01/2026

First Annual General Meeting of Castlethorpe Community Space CIC
7.30pm Thursday 5th February at the Village Hall

All members are invited to attend our first AGM as above.
You will remember that our company, CCS, was created so that the administrative work of The Pavilion was separated from the Parish Council which built and owns the building.
As such, CCS has its own directors who are Steve Bradbury (interim Chair), Philip Ayles, Russell Forgham and Ian Horne. Gordon Fleming is the Company Secretary and is also a director.
The Directors
There must be a minimum of three directors, according to our Articles of Association, and we will be suggesting that we set a maximum of eight for practical reasons.
The directors will be standing down at the AGM but, with the exception of Russell who is retiring, will offer themselves for re-election.
The directors are responsible for maintaining the interior of the Pavilion, for selecting a tenant and putting a lease in place, helping the tenant if required - for example, they assembled the furniture, collected the picnic tables, put up signs, boards and TV and installed the CCTV - and then ensuring the tenant complies with the Agreement. When rent is received, the directors will decide how to use it for improvements to the Pavilion or for other community improvements.
The frequency of Board Meetings varies. It has been as often as weekly but more often it is only as needed though we exchange email and messages regularly.
Although this may seem off-putting, we really do need some new directors to share the load and, when things settle down, hopefully our duties will be lighter.
If you would like to help to run CCS as a director, please send an email to the Company Secretary at [email protected] by 5pm Friday 30th January. You must be a CCS Member and you will need another Member to second you.
Resolutions
If you have a resolution you would like to put to the AGM, please send it to the Company Secretary by 5pm Friday 30th January with the names of the proposer and seconder.
Proxies
If you would like to appoint a Proxy to represent you at the AGM, you must inform the Company Secretary at least one day before the Meeting. If you wish the Chair to act as your
proxy, please send your voting instructions to the Company Secretary at least one day before the meeting.
Attendance
Only Members or their proxies may attend the AGM. Members must bring their individual membership cards so couples must bring one each. Proxies should bring their letter of proxy.
Agenda
The Agenda for the meeting, including a report to members from the Board, nominations for directors and resolutions, will be sent to you prior to the meeting.
Gordon Fleming
Company Secretary
Email: [email protected]

23/06/2025

Good evening everyone,

You may be aware that the Pavilion Café and Bar has not been open for business since The Beer Festival on Saturday and there have been a number of posts on social media enquiring as to what the situation is.

As you know Clare had asked to be released from her lease agreement to pursue a new career. Trading was anticipated to continue nearer to the time when Luke and Elaine, the new tenants, were ready to take on the lease.

Unfortunately this has not been the case and the Pavilion is therefore closed for now. This is not ideal but please be assured that Luke and Elaine are working hard to launch their operation and currently busy pulling together all that needs to be tackled when opening a new business. They are committed to keeping you informed of their progress and what to expect of the new Pavilion.

There are a number of exciting developments in the pipeline so please look out for their updates.

We all wish Clare well for the future and thank her for all she has done in establishing The Pavilion.

Thank you for your understanding,

Castlethorpe Community Space

18/06/2025

We have some important news regarding The Pavilion Café and Bar on behalf of the tenant Clare Vachell, whose company leases the premises from Castlethorpe Community Space (CCS).

Many of you will know Clare and supported her, both when it was announced she had secured the tenancy and by visiting The Pavilion as a customer. Clare has worked tirelessly in establishing The Pavilion but has now decided that she wishes to pursue other career opportunities outside of hospitality. She has asked to relinquish her company's lease and the board of CCS, as landlord, has accepted her request subject to contract.

We are now working with Clare, under the terms of the lease agreement, to facilitate a mutually agreeable exit. Her company's smaller operation at the Lodge Farm Café is unaffected.

As I am sure you will understand, there is a good deal of detailed work required to organise a smooth transition to a new tenant. I am however pleased to announce that we have been fortunate in being able to select a replacement lessee who will shortly start working with the board and Clare, thus minimising disruption to the operation of The Pavilion.

Le Village Enterprises will be the new operator of the Pavilion Café and Bar. Owned by villagers Elaine and Luke Jefferies who have a wealth of business experience between them and, as a former director of CCS Luke has a detailed knowledge of The Pavilion's operation.

They are very keen to work with the existing team in building a professional, welcoming and community feel to The Pavilion focussed on great food, great service and a great experience – something for all the members.

The board would prefer that The Pavilion continues trading during the change of tenant but it is only right to let you know that it may be necessary to close for a period while the new tenant makes ready their new operation.

This is clearly an unsettling time for Clare's team and the board will work with her, Elaine and Luke to encourage employment for those of the existing team who wish to be considered for the new operation.

I would ask that you please bear with us whilst we undertake this change and I will keep you informed of progress as we proceed.

Lawrence Chapman
Chair, Castlethorpe Community Space

13/01/2025

Great News. We are delighted to let everyone know that The Pavilion, Castlethorpe’s new Community Space at the Sports Ground, will open as a Café and bar run by Clare Vachell, who many of you will already know as not only a villager but also the owner of the successful Lodge Farm Café.

Due to delays with some furniture and equipment deliveries The Pavilion will open a little later than was hoped but Clare is keen to be up and running in March with a café service during the day and a bar and restaurant service in the evenings and weekends.

There is a lot of work to do getting ready to open and Clare will let us know nearer the time on an exact opening date. The formal opening, originally scheduled for 22nd February, will also be put back until we are confident everything is ready.

This is a very exciting development for the village and we all wish Clare every success as we get ready to support her in opening the café, restaurant and long awaited bar.

Philip Ayles, Chair, Castlethorpe Parish Council
Lawrence Chapman, Chair, Castlethorpe Community Space

11/11/2024

Funding update: Help make The Pavilion a reality!

We're thrilled to share the latest progress on our funding campaign for The Pavilion, Castlethorpe's highly anticipated new community café and bar. Thanks to the incredible support of our generous local community, we are well on our way to reaching our £25,000 target. Your contributions, mainly through bank transfers and also our crowdfunding page, have been instrumental in making this possible.

✨ Bringing The Pavilion to life ✨

With your help, we have been able to order the essential equipment and furnishings, including the stylish banquette seating, cosy sofas and comfortable lounge chairs. Additionally, we're excited to announce that high-speed broadband is now up and running at The Pavilion. This not only ensures a superfast connection for our future customers but also controls the building's security system.

⏱️ The final stretch ⏱️

While we have made significant progress, we still need your support to raise the final few thousands of pounds needed for the remaining equipment. With your generosity, we can complete this wonderful community asset for the village. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a meaningful difference.

How to donate

1️⃣ Bank Transfer:
- Castlethorpe Community Space CIC
- Sort code: 30 99 50
- Account no: 24030663

2️⃣ Crowdfunding Page:
- Visit our crowdfunding page at https://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/castlethorpe-pavilion
- Please note that Crowdfunder automatically adds a "tip" to fund its operation. You can customise this by clicking on "Enter custom amount" and choosing any amount between 0 and 100%.

Fulfilling our village's wish

The Pavilion is the long-awaited gathering place that the people of Castlethorpe have yearned for since the closure of the Carrington Arms in 2008. We are now so close to making this dream come true, and with your help, we can finally transform the village's wish into a vibrant reality.

Your support matters

Join us in creating a thriving community space that will bring joy, connection, and a sense of belonging to Castlethorpe. Your contribution will make a lasting impact and leave a legacy for generations to come. Together, we can make The Pavilion a cherished asset for our village.

Thank you for your continued support and belief in this project. Let's rally together and bring The Pavilion to life!

Warm regards

Russell Forgham
Castlethorpe Community Space CIC
https://castlethorpecs.org.uk

We are the not-for-profit Community Interest Company which manages the new Community Space called The Pavilion at the Sports Ground in Castlethorpe on behalf of the Parish Council. The building work is complete but we need another £25,000 to fit it out so we can open as a much-needed community cafe...

05/11/2024

Another gentle reminder: Please help us raise the final funding we still need to equip and furnish the new Pavilion community cafe and bar at the Sports Ground which will be the meeting place that the people of the village have longed for since the pub closed in 2008. You can donate by bank transfer or on our crowdfunding page.
We've made a lot of progress already and we hope to open The Pavilion in February when we've raised the final funds we need to equip and furnish the building.
For more information please go to our website

We are the not-for-profit Community Interest Company which manages the new Community Space called The Pavilion at the Sports Ground in Castlethorpe on behalf of the Parish Council. The building work is complete but we need another £25,000 to fit it out so we can open as a much-needed community cafe...