After the Oddfellows Arms was closed in 2018, the pub along with the adjoining land was sold off to developers, who had plans for new houses on land at the rear and also to convert the pub into apartments. Local villagers then set up a group STOP (Save The Oddies Pub) and began a campaign to save the pub with a long term view to re-open it.

Over the years that followed numerous plans for the development of the site had been withdrawn or refused by the planners and after the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council refused planning permission for the scheme again last year, the council saying that the development would cause the loss of a “key community facility”, the developers launched an appeal to the Government Planning Inspectorate.

Those present at the Planning Application appeal hearing on 6 th August included CAMRA’s Chris Merriman (Pubs Protection Officer), the Oddies Campaign Group represented by Higham Community Benefit Society, the Parish Council and Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Planning department. The developers, Cartwright Homes had seven experts along with a King’s Council Barrister. There was also a great turnout of 40 members of the community present in the Public Gallery giving support.

Following the appeal hearing the Government's Planning Inspectorate dismissed the developer's appeal, saying it would be “unacceptable on heritage assets” and would “harm the character and appearance of the area.” This decision was welcomed by the Save The Oddies Pub group, along with Local MP Dr Luke Evans who had previously called for the pub to be saved.

As the group’s campaign progressed, a community business (Higham Community Benefit Society Ltd) was created to develop business plans and secure funding for renovating and re-opening the pub. They have benefitted from the support of professional advice from Plunkett UK who are experts in community business practice and familiar to supporters of community pubs across the country. Working with the Parish Council they have secured Government funding which will facilitate the purchase. The group has made several offers to buy the building and indeed discussions were ongoing with Cartwright Homes before the developer submitted its latest planning application to the council.

Kate Phillips (Secretary of Higham CBS) said: “We hope we can persuade the owners to pick up our previous negotiations that will allow us to have the pub whilst also allowing them to develop some of the land to the rear that they also own. The need for the Oddies as a community hub, as a focal point is particularly pressing now that we have lost our shop and the last pub – other similar facilities are a couple of miles away along rural roads. As a community we are ready to bring the dream to reality, to purchase the pub buildings and refurbish and reopen the pub”. The front plot, the area that covers the car park and pub buildings, is designated as an ACV which recognises its value as a community asset or community facility.

The community group have willing volunteers to work alongside a refurb team to restore their beloved pub at the heart of the community. What is needed now is for the owners to agree to work with the group to allow this to happen.

The plan is to reopen the pub to create a community hub for the local people and recreate a facility that will allow people to meet up and also host community events. Kate added: "There are hundreds of similar groups across the country who are running very successful community businesses and providing their local areas with much needed support. We are confident that we can do the same.”

Hinckley and Bosworth CAMRA group who have supported the campaign from the outset, look forward to the community acquiring the pub and starting work on the renovation and will continue to follow with interest.