The Rectory, Church Way, Chesterfield
We’re bringing The Rectory back to life – not just as a great place for a pint and a bite, but as Chesterfield’s first community-owned pub.
A proper local, run by locals, for locals – and for everyone else who loves a warm welcome and a good time.
Kakou CIC is a local social enterprise made up of Chesterfield people who care about making our town more inclusive, connected, and creative. Now, we’re turning our energy to The Rectory – and with your help, we’re going to create a pub that’s truly for everyone.
The Rectory’s already got the bones of a great pub: a lovely old building, a cracking location, and bags of character. But what it’s missing is that sense of real community ownership. Instead of profits disappearing into the pockets of big chains, everything will go back into the pub and the community – improving the space, paying fair wages, and supporting local projects and people.
We’ve spoken to loads of community groups, charities, and local organisers. Again and again, we’ve heard the same thing: Chesterfield is crying out for an affordable, accessible, flexible venue that genuinely welcomes everyone – whether it’s for a cuppa, a catch-up, a workshop, or a knees-up!
With its rich history and central location, The Rectory will become a true hub for Chesterfield – prioritising local suppliers, fostering social connections, and ensuring inclusivity with improved accessibility. By transforming the space based on community needs, we’re creating a venue that truly belongs to the people it serves.
This isn’t just about saving a pub. It’s about building something better – something owned by us, shaped by us, and open to all.
Our journey so far…
March 2024 – We applied for the Community Ownership Fund for a deposit towards the purchase of the freehold of The Rectory.
December 2024 – After a change in government and a six month delay, a couple of days before Christmas it was confirmed we had been successful in our application!
April 2024 – We started applying for a commercial mortgage.
May 2025 – The wonderful Kelly Sheldon of 13 Bends Design created a new logo for us.
We’ve still got some way to go before we’re up and running, but if you want to be the first to hear about our latest news, events, volunteer opportunities, and the exciting developments sign up to our newsletter and join us on the journey to build a space that’s welcoming, inclusive, and powered by the community.
If you’re a local supplier, brewery, or would like to explore ways to get involved, we’d love to hear from you – just leave your details when you sign up and a member of our team will be in touch.