Two years on, what became of Manaccan’s community pub

Some village pubs close and never come back. The New Inn in Manaccan was rescued by local residents. Two years after it passed into private hands, its story has moved on again.

The Grade II-listed thatched pub, near the Helford River on the Lizard Peninsula, is no longer community-owned. This Halloween marks two years since David and Deborah took over running it, and it remains part of village life.

Owning a pub and running one

David and Deborah bought the freehold in December 2023, with an existing tenant still in place. They took over the running of the pub at Halloween in 2024, and food service began that December.

That gap between owning and operating is an important part of the story. The community-owned chapter has ended. But the link with the village carries on through local jobs, buying from local suppliers, sponsorship and donations from the pub’s takings.

The residents who once helped save The New Inn remain a big part of its history. Under David and Deborah, the aim is to build a sustainable business that keeps contributing to Manaccan and the surrounding area.

£2,000 back into local causes

Over the past two years, the pub has given £2,000 straight from its trading proceeds to local organisations and events. These include St Keverne Playing Fields, Manaccan Fête and Dar Durra, a community interest company on the Lizard Peninsula offering heritage crafts, creative activities and practical learning.

The New Inn also sponsors Mawgan’s football team. Separately, a shanty evening with the Odds and Sods singers raised £320 for Cancer Research. Neither is included in the £2,000 figure.

Awards and a menu made from scratch

Since food service began, the pub has picked up Taste of the West Gold and a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award.

The menu is built around local meat, vegetables and seafood, with dishes prepared from scratch. That runs from traditional pub favourites through to Sunday roasts.

Walkers, dogs and accessibility

Access Cornwall has assessed the pub and published a guide to help visitors understand its facilities and plan ahead. It covers access, parking and quieter areas, and is linked from the pub’s own website.

Dogs and walkers are welcome and there are free water bottle refills. So it makes a natural stopping point for anyone exploring Manaccan, Helford, Gillan Creek and the countryside around them.

A Halloween anniversary

The second anniversary will be marked with a Halloween evening on Saturday 31 October, starting at 6pm. There’s a prize for the best costume.

The New Inn serves lunches and evening meals, including Sunday roasts. Menus, opening times, accessibility information and table requests are on The New Inn’s website, or you can call 01326 231301.

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