At the turn of the century, the Kings Arms Inn was a thriving pub attracting custom from Stockland and more widely across Devon and further afield, with a deserved reputation for good food.
However, a succession of short-term tenancies led to a sharp decline in its reputation, until the pub finally closed in March 2013.
Following the closure the Kings Arms was listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) by East Devon District Council (EDDC) – the first such listing in East Devon.
SCPL was formed in September 2013 with the object of taking the pub into community ownership.
Following the result of the Planning Appeal Public Hearing in September 2017 the owners entered into discussions with SCPL regarding the sale of the entire site.
SCPL finally purchased the Kings Arms in January 2019, and it re-opened a year later.