Jon Richardson’s Pub Rescue Project at The Plough in Fadmoor

A well-known comedian has a soft spot for Yorkshire, pubs, and a good underdog tale. So, when the news broke that a beloved local pub was calling last orders for good, it’s no surprise that Jon Richardson felt he had to step in. He's joined a passionate community in North Yorkshire to help save their historic local, and the whole thing is about to hit our screens in a brand new TV show.

A comedian, a garage pub, and a new project

Most people know Jon Richardson as the famously grumpy but hilarious comedian from shows like 8 Out Of 10 Cats. But what you might not know is that he has a proper love for pubs. It’s a passion so strong that he even turned his own garage into a mini-pub. But, it seems that wasn't quite enough to scratch the itch for a real pint and a proper pub atmosphere. So, what’s the next logical step? Buy a share in a real one, of course. A real, crumbling one, at that.

When the star comedian heard about the plight of The Plough, a historic pub in the small village of Fadmoor, he couldn't stay away. The story of a community trying to save its local boozer was exactly the kind of thing that pulls on the heartstrings.

Jon Richardson commented on his decision to get involved: “I love pubs so much that I turned my garage into one, but it didn’t scratch the itch so now I’ve ended up owning one. Or a share of a crumbling one, anyway.”

The story of The Plough in Fadmoor

This isn't just any old pub. The Plough in Fadmoor has been standing since 1782. That makes it a genuinely historic building that has served countless generations. Imagine all the stories those walls could tell! But like many local pubs across the country, it fell on hard times and was eventually closed down, becoming a derelict shell of its former self. For the local community, this wasn't just a closed business; it was the loss of the village's beating heart.

Faced with losing their pub forever, the people of Fadmoor decided to take matters into their own hands. They formed the Fadmoor Community Pub Limited, a group dedicated to one mission: to save The Plough. The plan was to buy the building and work together to restore it to its former glory. It's a huge undertaking, especially when dealing with a building that's over two centuries old and in a crumbling state. This is where the story gets really interesting, as the committee and volunteers began the hard work to breathe fresh life into the place.

A community effort with a famous face

When Jon Richardson first visited The Plough, he wasn't just impressed by the historic building; he was blown away by the people behind the project. The passion of the committee and the dedication of the entire Fadmoor community was infectious.

“When I first heard about The Plough, I had to go and see it and then when I met the amazing people working to rescue it, I couldn’t resist getting involved,” he explained. It’s clear the people were just as important as the pub itself. He added, “Like a good pint, they are lively and cool with good heads on them, and they make you feel better about the world.”

This project is a perfect example of what can happen when communities come together. Local pubs are often the centre of village life, places where people meet, chat, and support each other. Losing one can be devastating. Richardson clearly agrees, stating, “Pubs are the beating heart of their communities and we’re, hopefully, going to have a great time bringing The Plough back to its former glory. I know it’s going to be hard work, but I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and watch other people getting their hands dirty.” The 8 Out Of 10 Cats star is truly invested in seeing this Yorkshire pub thrive once again.

What to expect from the new TV show

And now, everyone can follow this incredible journey. A new four-part series called Our Yorkshire Pub Rescue with Jon Richardson is set to air on More4. The first episode of the TV show begins at 9pm on Wednesday, 4 February.

The series follows Jon as he officially becomes a shareholder and joins the team. Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the massive amount of work required to restore a derelict and historic building. It’s not just a lick of paint and some new furniture. Renovating a place that first opened its doors in 1782 comes with plenty of unexpected challenges. The TV show documents the highs and lows as the community, with their famous comedian helper, battles to save their beloved local pub. It’s a story of community spirit, hard graft, and the importance of having a good local pub to go to.

The work is far from over

Bringing a derelict building back from the brink is a monumental task. The chairman of Fadmoor Community Pub Limited, Peter Jones, has made it clear just how much work is involved. He said: “As you will see, there is a lot of work that needs to be done to renovate this derelict pub and to breathe fresh life back into the building.”

Every time the team thinks they're making progress, a new problem seems to appear from the woodwork, quite literally, in some cases! “As we work on the building, we keep uncovering issues and so it is going to take a lot of time and money to return it to its natural place as the heart of this fabulous rural community,” Peter Jones added.

Despite all the progress made by the committee and volunteers in Fadmoor, The Plough still needs a lot more work and investment before the doors can finally reopen. The good news is that the story doesn't end here. Filming for a second series is already expected to start soon, which means there’s plenty more of this Yorkshire pub rescue story to come. It’s a testament to the determination of a small North Yorkshire community and their famous helper to save a piece of history. This cool project is a real inspiration, showing what a community can do when they work together to save their local pub.