A pub in the birthplace of the trade union movement has reopened after villagers banded together to raise £500,000 to save it.

The Martyrs Inn in Tolpuddle closed down in February 2020 after a number of issues, but people who live there pledged money and formed a limited company to reopen it themselves.

A total of 192 shareholders raised half a million pounds in less than five weeks and the limited company took possession of the pub in April.

After months of refurbishment, the pub has now reopened to the public and will be having its official launch on Saturday to coincide with the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival.

In 1834 six farm labourers met under a tree in Tolpuddle to form a friendly society to fight for better pay and conditions.

They were arrested and sentenced to seven years' transportation to Australia for taking an oath of secrecy. Their conviction caused public outrage and the 'martyrs' were pardoned two years later.

The pub, named in their honour, has always been a popular spot during the annual festival, which attracts thousands of trade unionists to the tiny village.

It opened in 1921 and was owned by the brewery Hall & Woodhouse until it was sold to a private owner in 2021.

The idea was the brainchild of property developer Barrie Lovelock, who has lived in Tolpuddle for 20 years. He said 90 per cent of the shareholders are villagers but they have support from all over the country and as far away as Australia because of the village's trade union history.

Mr Lovelock, 76, said: "I live in the village and own property here and have become part of the community. When the pub closed it was a blow for the community.

"Tolpuddle doesn't have a shop or a garage anymore so when the pub closed there was nothing really except housing. It's quite an essential element of the village.

"It looks totally different from how it was before, you wouldn't recognise it as the same pub. We have completely reconfigured the ground floor and it has a completely new kitchen.

Dorset Echo: The new look Martyrs Inn in TolpuddleThe new look Martyrs Inn in Tolpuddle (Image: BNPS)

"It's an absolute relief to see it come together and there's palpable excitement in the village. We had about 15-20 villagers who donated their time to help with the refurbishment.

"Everybody in the village is very proud of their efforts.

"It's a wonderful thing to see people come together in that community spirit, without that the pub would never have opened I don't think."

  • The Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival takes place this weekend from Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16.

It has attracted the likes of political grandees Tony Benn and Jeremy Corbyn in the past.

The procession will take place from 2pm on Sunday. See www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/full-programme for more information.