The Pavilion Café and Bar

MP Chris officially opens The Pavilion 

The Pavilion Cafe & Bar was officially opened on 22 March 2025 by our MP Chris Curtis, who said: "Thank you to the Parish Council and all the villagers involved in this project for having me to share in this moment for you. I hope this will be a much-loved space for residents for years to come."
Councillor Phil Ayles, Chair of the Parish Council, said: "The Pavilion is an amazing achievement by residents working with the Parish Council to create a cafe and bar in a village with no other hospitality venue or place where people could 'drop in'.
"It is a tribute to the generosity of the village supported not only by the Parish Council and residents but also MK Community Fund and a number of local businesses and organisations. We thank them all most sincerely."

Building the Pavilion Cafe & Bar

Our village has been without a pub since the Carrington Arms closed in 2008 and has never had a café or a casual spot for people to gather, even though surveys showed this is the top request from residents.
In 2022, the owner of the Carrington Arms informed the Parish Council that he no longer planned to redevelop the site and would instead sell it. This prompted the Parish Council to explore building a new Café and Bar. They planned to use a mix of "planning gain" funds, council reserves, a generous grant from the MK Community Foundation, and a low-cost Government loan.
In 2023, a Parish Advisory Poll showed strong support for the project, with 337 votes in favour and only 56 against.
The only suitable location was at the Sports Ground. Plans were created to remodel the cricket pavilion, adding larger changing rooms, new toilets, and an extension for a kitchen, serving area and customer seating. 
Construction began at the end of 2023 and was finished by mid-2024. The Parish Council then leased the building to Castlethorpe Community Space, a newly formed Community Interest Company which is owned by its members. Any resident over 18, or non-residents with strong ties to the village, can apply to become a member.
Castlethorpe Community Space raised additional funds to equip the pavilion with a kitchen, serving area, and customer furnishings. This included more "planning gain" funds, a significant grant from the National Lottery Community Fund and generous donations from local residents.
The Pavilion Café and Bar will be a warm, welcoming space for everyone, especially older residents who can meet friends and enjoy much-needed company. It will also cater to remote workers looking for a change of scenery and visitors to the outdoor gym and other sports facilities at the Sports Ground.