Pub could become Hindu cultural hub
Burnham Beeches: The Jolly Woodman shut early this year
A long-standing pub near Burnham Beeches could be revamped as a Hindu cultural hub if approved by Buckinghamshire Council.
The Jolly Woodman, which dates back to the 19th century, announced its closure on social media in November after three years of affected trade following the pandemic.
Months of speculation on the future of the premises followed until it closed its doors for good on January 7.
Buckinghamshire Council received plans on January 31 to convert the building into a place of worship.
Previous landlords, Global Taverns, sold the historic site to Slough-based volunteer-led charity, GB Shri Raghavendra Swami Brundavan.
Since 2009, the organisation has been a hub for religious worship and safeguarding the heritage of Indian classical arts, particularly music and dance, having hosted concerts, workshops, and music festivals.
The registered charity has rented a venue in White Hart Road in Slough since 2017 but decided the space had become ‘insufficient’ in 2022 and needed a permanent base as the popularity and demand for its events increased.
Trustees Srihari Gubbi and Prahlad Purohit told the Advertiser about the ‘mission’ of acquiring a suitable property that could meet the charity’s ‘evolving needs and aspirations’.
Srihari said: “Acquiring the property proved to be a formidable task, with challenges such as obtaining planning permission, negotiations with sellers, and raising sufficient funds.
“During this journey, the dynamic character of the community has underscored the need for a lasting space with expanded facilities in a serene setting.
“Developing this new premises is driven by our intention to not only create a welcoming space for the community but also promote cultural and spiritual values.”
The charity initiated a fundraising campaign and reached out to patrons and supporters, as well as running events, such as concerts and sponsored walks, to raise awareness.
After eight months and an ambitious target of £700,000 to secure the property's freehold, the charity got the keys to the property on January 15.
The Jolly Woodman, based in Littleworth Road, is a detached two-storey building with a 30-vehicle car park and garden.
Srihari said the new venue will comprise a main ‘sanctity’ hall, a secondary hall for cultural activities, a kitchen and a garden, and the charity leaders have ambitious plans to ‘modernise’ the property by incorporating a stage and sound and lighting systems.
The new facility would also function as a retreat centre for yoga and meditation.
To view the application, use the reference PL/24/0183/FA in the Buckinghamshire Council Planning portal.