The Bevy- More Than a Pub

The Bevendean Pub closed in 2010, leaving another estate without a local. After four years of ‘blood, sweat and beers’ from the community and support from East Brighton Trust, The Bevy opened its doors on 12th December 2014. The only community-owned pub on a housing estate in the UK. The community has grown from there and continues to shape the pub to meet the needs of those who visit, volunteer and regularly attend.

A typical week offers a diverse and meaningful selection of activities that offer participation, growth, social connection and hopefulness, including Bevy Senior Club, Disability Disco, Music and Memories, Book Club, Community Garden, Pool and Darts teams and Family Thursday which includes a free meal for every child. There is also meaningful collaboration with many different organisations including local schools and food banks. The Bevy exists to make a social impact and any profits made from the pub are ploughed back into the projects that it runs and supports. ‘An ordinary estate doing extraordinary things’.

The photography documentation of The Bevy began at the beginning of 2026, having an awareness of the difference the pub makes to its community, the hope was to collaboratively capture all aspects and angles of it with an emphasis of how connections are made and nurtured. It is a long-term project aiming to follow its path, developments and challenges. The photos are now contributing to the sustainability of The Bevy by offering these insights and opportunities to people and groups who may not be aware of them. A feedback loop in action. The future goal is to bring the building into community ownership too and this can be supported by coming to The Bevy to see the exhibition, have a drink or a cuppa, hire it for an event, tell your mates to pop by. Everyone is welcome.