Community Pub In Helston Launches Fundraiser for Historic Repairs

The Prince of Wales in Newtown, a 16th-century country pub on the Lizard Peninsula, is holding a fundraising evening on Saturday 15th November to help pay for vital building repairs.

Historic Community-Owned Pub

The team behind the Prince of Wales believe it is one of only a few community-owned pubs in Cornwall. It was bought in October 2022 by shareholding members of the community, with help from local fundraising groups, after being closed for two years.

It reopened in November 2022 under tenants David, Emma and Michelle, who now run the pub as part of the community’s effort to keep this much-loved venue thriving.

The pub offers a warm and welcoming setting, complete with a log-burning fire, dog-friendly atmosphere, and board games for families. There’s also a dart board, rear beer garden, and customer parking accessed via the lane beside the building.

Fundraiser for Listed Building Repairs

As a listed building, the Prince of Wales must replace its wooden sash windows with handmade, heritage-compliant ones, which come at significant cost. There’s also a small roof repair the community hopes to fund.

To help cover these expenses, the pub is hosting an evening of live music, an auction and a raffle. Around 30 items will be auctioned, followed by live music from husband-and-wife duo Bow River. Food will be served between 6pm and 8pm, with the auction kicking off at 7pm, followed by the raffle and music.

Prince of Wales Window Appeal

To continue raising money for the restoration work, the pub has launched the Prince of Wales Window Appeal.

Supporters can contribute to the “Repair Pot” by buying a Prince of Wales Pen, which will be posted to them, or by purchasing a Virtual Pint via the pub’s online shop at https://the-prince-of-wales-1.sumupstore.com/.

Local Food, Rooms and a Snug Shop

The Prince of Wales kitchen serves a range of dishes made with local produce, including meat from Trevarthan Cornish Butchers and sustainably sourced fish from Cornish suppliers and fishermen. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are also available.

There are two king-size en-suite rooms next to each other, ideal for couples or small groups, offering self-catering style breakfasts.

In Spring 2025, the pub also opened a Snug Shop inside, selling essentials such as milk, bread, eggs, and seasonal extras like BBQ charcoal in summer or kindling and coal in winter.

With its friendly atmosphere, locally sourced food and regular live music sessions through the summer, the Prince of Wales continues to serve as a true community gathering place for Newtown and beyond.