Cawsand’s Old Ship Faces Closure Without £20k Roof Rescue

The temporary roof keeping a much-loved Cawsand community hub dry has reached the end of its life, and without a successful crowdfunder, the doors may not stay open.

The Old Ship Inn, a historic fixture in the heart of Cawsand village, has been undergoing a long transformation from burnt-out shell to community asset since The Peninsula Trust took it into community ownership in 2018. Now, the trust is asking the public for help to fund a new roof and a list of urgent repairs that will keep the building running.

The total target is £20,000. At the time of writing, the crowdfunder has raised £1,555 from 14 supporters, with 81 days left to hit the goal.

How the project got here

When the building was first purchased, the plan was a complete rebuild in two phases. Phase 1, completed in 2020, secured the property, made it structurally safe and built a temporary community space. Phase 2 was meant to deliver a full re-build, but Covid, loss of grant funding and interest rate rises got in the way.

In 2025 the trust engaged with the Architectural Heritage Fund to reassess. The full rebuild cost has come down, but it would still need £1 million, and grant funding at that scale is not currently available.

So for now, the focus is keeping The Ship in its “charming temporary state” running for the long term.

What The Ship has delivered

Despite operating from a temporary structure, the numbers from the last few years tell a clear story. Since 2020 the trust has:

• Run a volunteer-led affordable community café, now open three times a week, with over 2,500 visits in 2025 alone
• Supported and delivered around 300 community events, from educational workshops and live music to weddings and Christmas get-togethers
• Created volunteer opportunities for around 40 people
• Supported 448 young people through after-school clubs, cooking classes and similar projects
• Backed local businesses with pop-ups and event catering
• Created employment for three local people

The Peninsula Trust’s latest Annual Impact Report shows that over the last year, local volunteers contributed over 5,100 hours of their time, helping people benefit more than 8,500 times from the trust’s activities.

Community cafés currently run every Monday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm, with hot drinks, locally made cakes and a regular local support drop-in. The space, including the commercial kitchen, is also available for hire.

What the £20,000 will pay for

The temporary roof has badly deteriorated and is letting water in across multiple spots. The building is also cold, and the electrics need an upgrade. The money raised will allow the trust to:

• Remove and replace the roof
• Insulate inside the roof and install a false ceiling
• Install new down lighting
• Connect the three-phase electric system
• Install wall-mounted radiators
• Refurbish the windows and back door
• Install improved ventilation in the kitchen

Any additional funds raised will go towards new tables, chairs, a shed and garden improvements, alongside supporting the long-term sustainability of The Peninsula Trust’s wider community projects.

What happens if the target is missed

The trust has been blunt about the risk. If the funds aren’t raised, the roof may fail to the point where The Ship can’t open. That would mean overheads can’t be paid, and the future of the building would become uncertain.

The crowdfunder closes at 12:57pm on 26th July 2026, and is set up on a “keep what you raise” basis. Donations can be made via the Crowdfunder page, with the option to add Gift Aid.