Donate £1 here

The Oxleathers: Stafford’s Pub That Never Turns Anyone Away

Introduction

The Oxleathers in Stafford has been crowned England's Community Support Hero at the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2026, presented at a House of Commons reception on 8 September. Nominated by Leigh Ingham MP, the pub is the centre of community life in Highfields.

What they did

Licensee Debbie Howe and the community have worked hard to keep the pub at the heart of the area, and it is registered as an Asset of Community Value.

The function room is offered for community use, so everyone can mark weddings, funerals or baby showers. Debbie runs discos and games for children’s parties, and the pub hosts free holiday crafts, a free Halloween party for around 100 children, and a Christmas programme that includes a light switch-on, panto, breakfast with Santa and a 100-person pompom snowball fight.

Debbie collects second-hand furniture, white goods and baby items for people without transport, and the pub keeps food parcels for anyone who needs one. It even runs an animal sanctuary, which once took in 30 rabbits.

The community reaction

Around 250 households have been helped with food support. People know that if they are struggling, the Oxleathers will help without judgement.

Impact

Tombolas and collections have helped fund a community defibrillator and supported the Air Ambulance, the Royal British Legion, Dogs Trust, Macmillan and a local women’s refuge. At Christmas the team takes food, blankets, coats and presents to rough sleepers in town.

Summary

Whatever life throws at the team, the Oxleathers keeps showing up for its community. It is a pub run for the people it serves.

About

The Oxleathers

The Oxleathers is a community pub in the Highfields area of Stafford, run by licensee Debbie Howe. It is registered as an Asset of Community Value.
Sundown Drive, Stafford, ST17 9QT
Go to pub website

Local Constituency

Stafford

Local MP

Leigh Ingham
Go to local MP website
Follow us on social
© PubAid 2024. All rights reserved.

Competition Terms & Conditions