Our business plan was updated in February 2026, and concisely sets out Freeland Community Hub’s vision for The Chapel. A summary of the key elements in the plan is below:
Project overview: FCH aims to acquire, restore, and operate the historic Freeland Methodist Church (“The Chapel”) as a community hub. The first phase will feature a café, combined with a flexible community space. Depending on how the project evolves, FCH may develop additional community services (recognising the strong interest of a shop among community members) in a later phase of the project.
The building: FCH has commissioned and reviewed building and structural surveys that make recommendations about remedial work; these costs are included in the refurbishment plans and overall budget.
Community support: Extensive village consultation shows strong support, with 70% favouring a café/shop model and 65% supporting a café/community space. Over 100 individuals expressed willingness to volunteer and/or expressed interest in offering pledges of financial support.
Governance: FCH operates as a charitable Community Benefit Society, governed by an elected Board with expertise in company formation, project management, finance, legal and community development.
Community benefit: The Chapel project will restore a historic building with significant heritage value constructed in 1805, provide employment opportunities, and work alongside existing businesses to provide a flexible, family friendly community space for events, workshops, and social activities.
Operating model: FCH will run The Chapel using a tenancy model which is designed to combine benefits for the community and long-term financial sustainability. The tenancy model ensures that the long-term stewardship of the building remains with the community, while enabling the tenant to focus on operating a successful café business. Rental income will cover FCH’s responsibility for maintaining the building and will generate a modest surplus to support wider community objectives and build a share fund. To promote long-term sustainability, the lease will include mechanisms to adjust rent levels according to the underlying profitability of the business, ensuring that both tenant and FCH share appropriately in the café’s success.
The tenant: FCH has recruited an experienced, motivated tenant (Donna Byrom, who also manages the Oxfordshire Yeoman pub opposite) with the necessary entrepreneurial skills, operational expertise, and customer focus to build and sustain a vibrant café business. In addition to commercial competence, the tenant will share FCH’s commitment to community benefit, actively supporting the broader aims of the project, complementing existing businesses, and contributing to the long-term vitality of village life.
Funding: Almost £187,000 was raised in early 2026 through pledges from the community, local businesses and councillors. The building has now been bought outright for £165,065 plus fees thanks to the funds raised, and further income received since then means FCH now has £78,000 to put towards a refurbishment estimate of £210,000, leaving it with £138,000 still to raise from grants and benefactors.
Next steps: Now FCH owns the building, it will be possible to apply for grants from orgabisations such as the National Lottery, as well as more local charities. Also watch out for community fundraising events throughout the rest of the year.