The Hare and Hounds Inn, known locally as the Lane Ends, is a well-known and much-loved pub in Old Town, West Yorkshire. Its decorated history dates back to the late 18th century when it was a stop on the pack horse route between Halifax and Burnley.

Nowadays, it’s beloved by locals for its fantastic views and place at the beating heart of the community. But this cherished local institution is at risk.

What’s going on with the Hare and Hounds?

A developer purchased the pub from Timothy Taylor’s in 2025, despite the agent informing us that it was to be sold as a going concern. The developer then put in a planning application to turn it from a pub into a house later that year.

However, the pub was listed as an Asset of Community Value on 2 March 2026 following WACA’s application under the Community Right to Bid legislation.

Th developer contacted us on 27 March to let us know the Hare and Hounds was being put up for sale. This gives us a six-month window of exclusivity to put together a community bid before the owner can accept bids from the general market.

WACA are now working hard to raise funds to purchase the Hare and Hounds and run it as a community pub.

How can you help?

We are currently putting together a community share offer so that local people and other interested parties can invest in the Hare and Hounds. This will hopefully go live in July 2026.

Are you interested? Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear details about the share offer and be notified when it goes live.

Do you have knowledge or skills that could be useful in raising funds to purchase the Hare and Hounds or run it as a community pub? Get in touch and let us know you want to get involved.

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