Ireby is the oldest market town in Cumberland with a charter dating back to 1236 and a market cross dating from 1275.
It was visited by John Keats in 1818, who was greatly amused by the country dancing in the inn, and Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins in 1857, seeking treatment from the local apothecary for a sprained ankle.
In 1858 there were four public houses in Ireby, the White Swan, the Globe Inn, the Sun Inn and the Black Lion. Now only the Black Lion remains. It was rescued from a prolonged closure in 2015, but put back on the market in 2022. It closed again in March 2023 and after a well attended village meeting, the landlord agreed to reopen it, giving the local community time to organise for a community buyout.
The Black Lion Community Group, now a limited company, came into being. A comprehensive local survey revealed overwhelming support for our project. We have plans for the Black Lion to be run as a community pub and village social hub, providing a wealth of new opportunities and services for locals and tourists. These are likely to include a café, meeting place, reading room, local produce supply, art gallery and arts and entertainment venue in association with the Globe Hall, as well as providing opportunity for employment and training.
The Black Lion Community Group is a Community Benefit Society and will be owned by the members, who are shareholders.
