The Fox & Goose in Hebden Bridge is a well-loved community-owned pub. In 2013 when the pub was at risk of closure, local residents formed a Community Benefit Society and collectively purchased it through a Community Share Offer which raised £130k and helped safeguard the pub as a valued community asset. The Fox & Goose currently have 380 members – most of who live in the local community. A subsequent crowdfunding campaign raised £12,000 and was used to build a shelter for the beer garden at the back of the pub.
In 2023, Andi joined as Business Manager to help lessen the load of the Directors. Andi’s role was to work with the Directors and Members to strengthen governance, improve operational oversight, and renew their strategic direction and 5-year business plan. She inherited a range of longstanding operational and compliance challenges that risked slowing the pub’s progress and limiting its ability to meet community needs.
Why Fox & Goose Needed Support
On joining the organisation, Andi faced several pressures that made external support invaluable. These included weak financial controls and the need for stronger financial governance; compliance gaps, including building and legal requirements and an outdated business plan that required refocusing around realistic operations and social impact.
Additionally, there was a need to clarify the pub’s ongoing role as a community hub.
Recognising these challenges, Andi and the Fox & Goose Directors sought structured, professional support to rebuild momentum and strengthen organisational resilience.
How Business for Good West Yorkshire Helped
Andi enrolled on the Business for Good West Yorkshire – Growth & Resilience Programme, a six-month learning programme designed for social enterprises and co-operatives, and run in partnership by School for Social Entrepreneurs and Co-operatives UK.
Key support received:
- Action Learning Sets
For Andi these were the most impactful element, providing a trusted environment to discuss challenges, peer-to-peer problem solving and the opportunity to share learning with others facing similar issues.
- Growth & Resilience programme learning sessions
The programme included a range of workshops covering topics such as Social impact measurement, Technology adoption and Strategic planning
These sessions encouraged Andi to think differently, adopt new tools, and reframe the organisation’s strategic approach.
A small bursary helped remove barriers to participation, reinforcing the value of the programme.
3.Enterprise Coaching
Having coaching and peer support alongside the main programme, helped Andi develop her leadership style, improve her confidence and provide clarity in her decision making.
Outcomes and Impact – A Stronger, More Resilient Organisation
As a result of the programme, Andi worked with the Co-operative ‘s members and revisited and strengthened the five-year business plan, with a sharper focus on social impact and community needs. She also gained the confidence to confront longstanding issues, such as building compliance and legal barriers, equipping her to guide the board through complex decisions.
Importantly, the programme helped her move from a position of isolation to one of greater confidence, supported by a new peer network.
The impact has been significant: the Fox and Goose now have a clearer path to accelerate delivery of their strategy, with stronger leadership and renewed ambition. The organisation is better positioned to engage its membership, attract investment, and enhance its role as a community hub.
Andi emphasised that without Business for Good, progress would have been far slower, with the pub at risk of stagnating. Instead, the support has built the foundations for long-term sustainability, stronger community engagement, and the resilience needed to face future challenges.
The wider impact is a stronger foundation for the pub’s future sustainability. With renewed leadership, clearer strategic direction, and a focus on measuring social value, the Fox and Goose is better positioned to engage the community, attract investment, and expand its role as a community hub.