December – Vendor says we need to increase offer – Committee vote and agree to £310k

November – Meeting with mentor from the Harrow Inn Stockbury, Kent
with their financial model. Increased bid to £305k

October – Meeting with JFT agree to fund survey if we are allowed access

August – Total amount raised £220,000 from 300 shareholders

10th July – Week long review of Community Pubs on National and Local Radio and TV. The Chequer Inn featured heavily

13th June – Conditional Grant and Loan £100,000 awarded by Plunkett Foundation

8th June – Resubmitted loan and grant application to Plunkett Foundation : More
than a Pub

5th June – Shareholders voted overwhelmingly to reopen share offer

18th April – £157,000 raised in Shares

10th March – Pub evening National Pie Week at the Ash Village Hall to Launch of share offer & revised Business plan

February – Denied funding support from local Charity Jack Foat Trust 

January – Cooperative Bank account confirmed and opened.

December – Submitted business plan and application to Jack Foat Trust for consideration of grant and loan.

11th November – 150 attended Pop up Pub Night – Ash Village Hall

30th September – Desktop Valuation obtained and offer made to vendor

20th September – Chequer Inn Ash Society formally registered as a Community Benefit Society

1st September – ACV Moratorium expired

19th August – Website launched

12th August – Hugely successful Pub Night held

10th August – ‘More than a Pub’ Bursary granted

7th July – Application for support from The Plunkett Foundation successful

7th June – Letter received from Developers Solicitor. Asking price for The Chequer Inn in region of £340,000

11th May – The Chequer Inn appears on The One Show – special programme to highlight the plight of pubs around the UK

4th April – Notice given to Dover District Council – community’s intention to bid to purchase The Chequer Inn – ACV moratorium triggered

1st March – Dover District Council receive notice in writing of the Developers wish to sell The Chequer Inn

25th February – Dover District Council Planning Meeting – unanimous vote to reject the planning application.

12th February – Dover District Council decision – nominated Asset of Community Value status

10th January – ‘Save the Chequer Inn’ Public Demonstration outside The Chequer Inn

21st December – Nomination lodged with DDC to grant The Chequer Inn “Asset of Community Value” status

14th December – First “Save the Chequer Inn” Public Meeting

22th June – Developer lodges Planning Application at DDC
Change of use and conversion to residential dwelling

20th March – Owner of the Chequer Inn successfully appealed the listing of the Chequer Inn as an ACV.
The appeal process included a hearing to which Ash Parish Council was not invited nor was made aware of it taking place. This is in accordance with the law. The ruling states the decision is final and no further appeal is possible.

9th January – Confirmation from DDC – nomination successful and listed as ACV

2014 13th November – Ash Parish Council lodge nomination with DDC to register as Asset of Community Value (ACV)

2014 September – The Chequer Inn closes its doors – 340 years after first opening as an Inn!
Unfortunately Stuart was victim of a life threatening accident and could not carry on his duty.

2012 July – New landlord, Stuart Antony quoted in Dover Express “It’s been brilliant. I’m enjoying getting to know the locals.

A lot of the old regulars have come back down and there’s a nice community spirit. I’m here for good. I want to keep it very much a local, family pub.”

2011 November –    Landlord, Richard Munden leaves.

2009 – Richard awarded Cask Marque accreditation for serving the perfect pint of cask-conditioned ale.

2008 – November    Richard Munden arrived determined to make the Inn a success and a community hub.

1952 October – the pub is given listed building status
1721 to 1948 – 23 Licensees over period of 230 years
1708 – The Inn was purchased by Richard Hollingbury, brewer of the borough of Staplegate within the walls of Canterbury.

1674  8th May  –  Roberts was granted a licence at Dover to supply ales and ciders to the parish of Ash.
Early 1674 – Building bought by Thomas Roberts, hop grower and brewer of Canterbury.
15th Century – Timbered House built as part of Chequer Court