On 9th November 2014, The Dog Inn closed its doors for what could have been the last time. Finding no new landlord, the owners decided to sell the pub and surrounding land in early 2015. Faced with losing their only pub, dedicated villagers led by Kathryn Sharpe took action. They registered The Dog Inn as an Asset of Community Value and held a public meeting to explore buying the pub collectively.
Following months of fundraising and business planning, The Dog Inn (Belthorn) Ltd, a Community Benefit Society (number 7095), successfully raised £180,000 through a community share offer. With the support of local people and Ribble Valley Luxury Homes Ltd, contracts were exchanged on 2nd September 2015 — and The Dog Inn was saved for future generations.
Catch up on all the latest from The Dog Inn and Belthorn village with Dog’s Life, our community newsletter.
Belthorn is a small, historic village perched on the West Pennine Moors between Blackburn and Haslingden. With stunning views across to Pendle Hill, the Ribble Estuary, and even the Lake District on clear days, the village sits between 275m and 300m above sea level. Originally a coal-mining and weaving community, Belthorn’s character is still visible in its traditional weavers’ cottages. Coal and fireclay mining shaped the village until the 20th century, but most residents now commute to nearby towns and cities.
Although bypassed by the B6232 and close to the M65 motorway, Belthorn retains its rural charm. The Dog Inn, Lancashire’s first community-owned pub, is the village’s heart — especially since the Post Office and shop closed in 2008. For more on local history, see The Belthorn Book, written by former schoolmaster Mike Rothwell.
The Dog Inn (Belthorn) Ltd is a Community Benefit Society (FCA reg. 7095), run by dedicated local people who give their time and skills to support this much-loved village hub.
Dave was brought up in Darwen, Lancashire, and, after several years working in various parts of the UK, returned to his native town in 1994.
Dave is a founder member and Director of Co-operative and Mutual Solutions Limited, a consultancy business providing advice and support to co-operatives and social enterprises. Besides holding management positions in several co-operatives and credit unions he has twenty years’ experience in providing advice and developmental support to co-operative and mutual enterprises. He is a nationally recognised expert on legal structures for social enterprises and community share issues.
He has advised over 50 communities to successfully take over their much loved local pubs.. Dave has been Chair of The Dog Inn in Belthorn, since it re-opened under community ownership in November 2015.
I’m Heather Carling, I’ve been a board member since 2024 and am a member of the events team as well as overseeing the running of the coffee shop. I have a strong background in retail, customer service and business administration. I moved to the area in 2021 and my daughter goes to Belthorn Academy. We loved our end of week Friday treat at The Dog Inn, and The Dog became our favourite family local. However, my retail background said we could make it better, I asked if I could oversee stock and promoting the Coffee shop, now called Patrick’s Coffee and Shop, and have sourced locally produced goodies, including our exclusive to The Dog Inn, Belthorn Bees Honey, Artisan bread, and Farmhouse biscuits. Being new to the area I was also able to suggest event ideas from an outsider’s perspective
We are currently finalising Rebekah’s profile. Check back soon to learn more.
I am 76 years old and live with my partner Sue in my own home in Weir and Sues home in Padiham. I graduated from Leicester College in Footwear Manufacture and Design. After which I became factory manager in a factory in Derbyshire. I them moved to Rossendale and started as Development officer for a larger manufacturing company. I was responsible for the design and build of a 76,000 sq ft factory. I then became their retail General Manager and was involved in developing their new distribution centre and the initial Wynsors store. Then I became Managing Director of their new sign manufacturing company which I ran for 12 years, after which my late wife and I ran our own commercial sign company for 12 years before retiring. I have been a volunteer with the Red Cross for 40 years during which time I was a trustee for 7 years and President of Lancashire. I am Vice President of Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue. From our very first visit to the Dog we felt at home. Good beer, good food and excellent company. I feel it is a privilege to have been appointed to this Board and will do all I can to promote the Dog in any way possible.
I have been a villager for over 23 years and I have a family and relatives that all live in Belthorn. I have been a shareholder since the beginning and member of The Dog Inn board for approximately 7 years. I am currently the Vice Chair, as well as sitting on three of the sub committees including: Events Team, Finance and The General Purpose team. I was brought up in the licensing trade, living in pubs during my childhood while my parents ran various establishments from public houses to working mens’ clubs. I have over 25+ years experience as an engineer in the aerospace industry, and 10 years owning and running a successful aerospace composites business in Burnley.
Many of you will already be familiar with my background, as I have lived in Belthorn for the last 25 years and have been a “regular” in The Dog for all of that time. What will surprise many is that my links to the Dog go back even further. As a manager for a well known outdoor equipment manufacturer, in 1982 when we were looking for somewhere to hold an evening event for our International Distributors, The Dog was the perfect choice. Excellent food and wine and the best view in Lancashire. It was memorable in another way, as I plucked up the courage to ask a young lady, [who had recently started working in our marketing dept] for a date. She accepted and 40 years later Barbara and I are still together. We always said that we would move to Belthorn one day. We achieved that goal in 1998. Over the years we have made many friends through the Pub and had countless “sessions”. Sadly, we have also seen too many friends leave us, one way or another. We have seen both the “good “ and the “bad” times for The Dog. After I retired, I realised that I may have some skills which might be useful for The Dog. When I was asked in early 2021 whether I would be interested in being nominated for a seat on the Board, I was flattered and after some serious thought accepted. I see our role on the Board as Custodians of The Dog for the next generation. When I’m standing in the corner of the bar, I might see a young couple nervously entering the Pub, obviously unfamiliar with the surroundings. I think back 50 years to my introduction to The Dog and hope that in 50 years’ time that same young man will be standing at the bar observing the next generation after having enjoyed his personal “Dog’s Life” as much as I have.
I have lived in the village since late 2000, running a small-holding where we keep native-breed sheep. I also run a Holiday Cottage down Bank Fold Lane: guests staying in our Holiday Cottage often visit the Dog Inn for drinks and food. I have been involved in the pub since 2015, when we started on the journey to buy the pub from the developer.
Designated Premises Superviser (DPS), Events. I have lived in Belthorn for over 25 years. I currently live in Holden Street where I have lived for over six years. I have been involved in the refurbishment of the Dog Inn to the current condition and am very proud to have been involved with the opening of the Dog Inn. I am a current personal licence holder and have been DPS and was previously volunteer manager of the Dog Inn for a number of years.
I have lived in Belthorn Village for over forty-five years. But I have been a customer at the Dog Inn for longer having held my engagement party to my late wife before marrying and moving to the village. We also held our silver Wedding party in the Dog. I currently sit on the events committee and field committee. I am also responsible for the floral displays you see around the Dog Inn. In my working life I was a Police officer and Coroners officer and when I retired, I became a licensed pyrotechnic and have been responsible for numerous village firework shows.
I am a successful business entrepreneur and have raised my family in this beautiful Lancashire village. I have lived in Belthorn for 18 plus years enjoying all the benefits of village life especially our local gem, The Dog Inn. I have 30 plus years experience in small and large international business ventures at management and board level. I joined the Dog Inn board in June 2022 to assist in the pub’s financial and forward planning matters to ensure its long-term success. It is my pleasure to assist The Dog Inn become more successful, maintain a healthy profit and continue its great service to the local villagers and visitors to Belthorn.
I live opposite The Dog Inn, having moved to Belthorn in 2021. I have worked in large international IT organisations for most of my working life and been lucky enough to work in a number of different countries, such as Egypt, Netherlands and France. I also run a dog training business and have 2 dogs of my own, both absolutely bonkers! In what little spare time I have, I work on my ongoing house project. I grew up in a small village in Yorkshire, where my parents still live, but I love the little Lancashire village of Belthorn, that I now call home. The Dog Inn is such an integral part of our village community and something none of us should take for granted.
I am Darwen born and bred and although I do not live in Belthorn I live close by and have
many links with the village. I’m 65 years old, married with two grown up children and
together we have attended the pub quiz each Thursday for eight years or so as a family (as
the Flying Elvises we are reasonably successful). I’m also quizmaster on the rota every
seven weeks. I have been a shareholder for several years and a board member since 2014. I am an accountant by profession but spend my time as Managing Director of five
manufacturing companies that I own in UK, Ireland and USA. I love beer and pubs in
general, especially this beautiful community-owned establishment, and wish to see it preserved as an integral part of village life and for the enjoyment of the wider community.
Dave was brought up in Darwen, Lancashire, and, after several years working in various parts of the UK, returned to his native town in 1994.
Dave is a founder member and Director of Co-operative and Mutual Solutions Limited, a consultancy business providing advice and support to co-operatives and social enterprises. Besides holding management positions in several co-operatives and credit unions he has twenty years’ experience in providing advice and developmental support to co-operative and mutual enterprises. He is a nationally recognised expert on legal structures for social enterprises and community share issues.
He has advised over 50 communities to successfully take over their much loved local pubs.. Dave has been Chair of The Dog Inn in Belthorn, since it re-opened under community ownership in November 2015.
I have been a villager for over 23 years and I have a young family and relatives that all live in Belthorn. I have been a shareholder since the beginning and member of The Dog Inn board for approximately 5 years, I have now taken on the Vice Chair role earlier this year. I sit on three of the sub committees including: Events Team, Finance and The General Purpose team. I was brought up in the licensing trade, living in pubs during my childhood while my parents ran various establishments from public houses to working mens clubs. I have over 25+ years experience as an engineer in the aerospace industry, and 10 years owning & running a successful aerospace composites business in Burnley. I have also sat on Belthorn Academy School as a Community Governor, overseeing & contributing to the business & finance aspect of the school.
Many of you will already be familiar with my background, as I have lived in Belthorn for the last 25 years and have been a “regular” in The Dog for all of that time. What will surprise many is that my links to the Dog go back even further. As a manager for a well known outdoor equipment manufacturer, in 1982 when we were looking for somewhere to hold an evening event for our International Distributors, The Dog was the perfect choice. Excellent food and wine and the best view in Lancashire. It was memorable in another way, as I plucked up the courage to ask a young lady, [who had recently started working in our marketing dept] for a date. She accepted and 40 years later Barbara and I are still together. We always said that we would move to Belthorn one day. We achieved that goal in 1998. Over the years we have made many friends through the Pub and had countless “sessions”. Sadly, we have also seen too many friends leave us, one way or another. We have seen both the “good “ and the
“bad” times for The Dog. After I retired, I realised that I may have some skills which might be useful for The Dog. When I was asked in early 2021 whether I would be interested in being nominated for a seat on the Board, I was flattered and after some serious thought accepted. I see our role on the Board as Custodians of The Dog for the next generation. When I’m standing in the corner of the bar, I might see a young couple nervously entering the Pub, obviously unfamiliar with the surroundings. I think back 50 years to my introduction to The Dog and hope that in 50 years’ time that same young man will be standing at the bar observing the next generation after having enjoyed his personal “Dog’s Life” as much as I have.
I have lived in the village since late 2000, and am also on the village committee. I am heavily involved in the village school, having been chair of the PTFA for 5 years, and until recently I was also Chair of Governors. I run a Holiday Cottage next to our small farm down Bank Fold Lane: guests staying in our Holiday Cottage often visit the Dog Inn for drinks and food.
I am 57 years of age and have lived in Belthorn for 24 years , I currently live in Holden Street where I have lived for six years. I have been involved in the refurbishment of the Dog Inn to the current condition and am very proud to have been involved with the opening of the Dog Inn. I am a current personal licence holder and have been DPS and manager of the Dog Inn for 3 years. In recent years I have run Belthorn United children’s football teams, and been involved with Belthorn United’s adults teams. I would like to take this opportunity to help, support and work with the other members of the board to take this fantastic community venture forward for the residents of Belthorn and the public to use and enjoy.
I have lived in Belthorn Village for forty-five years. But I have been a customer at the Dog Inn for longer having held my engagement party to my late wife before marrying and moving to the village. We also held our silver Wedding party in the Dog. I currently sit on the events committee and field committee. I am also responsible for the floral displays you see around the Dog Inn. In my working life I was a Police officer and Coroners officer and when I retired, I became a licensed pyrotechnic and have been responsible for numerous village firework shows.
I am 63 years of age, married with two grown up kids and work full-time with no intention of retiring for many years yet. I am not a resident of Belthorn. I am Darwen born and bred and have lived on Arkwright Fold in Blackburn for the past 35 years. However, I have many links to the village.
Along with my family I have attended the pub quiz each Thursday (as the Flying Elvises we’re reasonably successful!) for the past seven years. We also regularly eat in the restaurant, attend various music nights, Becki’s Bingo, Carols around the Christmas Tree etc. I am a qualified accountant by profession although I do not practice it very much these days as I am Managing Director of three manufacturing businesses that I own. I am a Trustee of a £10million charity based in the City of London that focuses on education and in particular the furtherance of international trade. I also have the Freedom of The City of London.
I like pubs and I like beer! I have visited many, many brewpubs and bars around the world and have bars & pubs that I like to frequent but The Dog remains my favourite haunt for many reasons.
I am a 59-year-old successful business entrepreneur and have raised my family in this beautiful Lancashire village. I have lived in Belthorn for 18 years enjoying all the benefits of village life especially our local gem, The Dog Inn. I have 30 plus years experience in small and large international business ventures at management and board level. I joined the Dog Inn board in June 2022 to assist in the pub’s financial and forward planning matters to ensure its long-term success. It is my pleasure to assist The Dog Inn become more successful, maintain a healthy profit and continue its great service to the local villagers and visitors to Belthorn.
I live opposite The Dog Inn, I moved to Belthorn Village from Yorkshire in 2021. I have worked in large international IT organisations for most of my working life and been lucky enough to work in a number of different countries, such as Egypt, Netherlands and France. I also run a dog training business and have 2 dogs of my own, both absolutely bonkers! In what little spare time I have, I work on my ongoing house project. I grew up in a small village in Yorkshire, where my parents still live, but I love the little Lancashire village of Belthorn, that I now call home. The Dog Inn is such an integral part of our village community and something none of us should take for granted.
Information Coming Soon
Information Coming Soon
Information Coming Soon
We have an excellent manager in Nic Machell, and a wonderful team of bar staff, and are often looking to expand our team of bar staff – please contact the pub for further information.
As well as our bar staff, we are also extremely lucky to have a large band of dedicated volunteers who help in many aspects of this Community pub, including running the coffee shop, doing the refurbishments, and organising the community gardens on the land at the back of the pub. We are very grateful to all who volunteer in any way to help with this venture. However, we are always on the look out for further volunteers, especially in the coffee shop – please contact us if you are interested in joining the team.
We have recently upgraded our restaurant reservation system from Dojo to Sugarvine. Unfortunately, we have lost access to all existing Dojo reservations, meaning we cannot currently see your booking.
If your confirmation email shows you booked via Dojo, please help us secure your table by either re-booking through the new Sugarvine booking link on our website and Facebook, or by contacting us directly to confirm your details.
