About Us
We're a group of local residents who have launched a community campaign to reopen The Dip- and we need your support to make it happen.
Since the 19th century, The Railway Bell - known as The Dip - has been at the heart of Hampton life.
A place to meet, celebrate and connect. But in April 2024, following the sad passing of popular landlord Seamus O'Kane, The Dip was forced to close.
Now it's up for sale and, together, we have the opportunity to secure its future.
We're looking at raising funds for the community to purchase the asset and professionally operate the pub once it has been refurbished, and fitted out.
Campaign Chairman Robert Lee and Councillor Suzette Nicholson outside The Dip
Support from the Community
The group has received great support from the local community of Hampton including from the local MP Munira Wilson, Gareth Roberts, the Leader of the LB Richmond Council, and the ward councillors of Hampton and Hampton North.
At public meetings in April and June, on each occasion, over 100 people turned up at the Hampton Hub to show their support and hear Robert Lee's vision to save this historic pub so it can continue to serve the community for generations to come
In June, the first goal of the campaign was achieved by the council approving the pub as as an Asset of Community Value.
This status gives the community a period of six months to make an offer to the current owner. This gives us protection while we achieve the real goal - to purchase the pub and implement the Vision.
Read more:
Members of the Campaign Group canvassing to Save the Dip to the Leader of Richmond Borough Council, the local MP Munira Wilson and ward councillors Suzette Nicholson, Carey Bishop and Elizabeth Gant and to Saturday morning shoppers at the launch of the new Hampton Pharmarcy in the Nurserylands Centre
Passionate Members of Save the Dip Campaign
Tess Situ FCCA
Chair: Finance Committee
Tess is a Fellow of Chartered Certified Accountants, Certified Pricing Professional, Certified Associate in Project Management with 25 years in financial & management accounting, taxation, auditing, pricing, data modelling & analytics.
Tony Jacques
Chair: Fund Raising & Business Planning Committee
Tony has worked in finance and banking for most of his career, specialising in assett finance and leasing in the automobile sector. Tony is the principal liaison with the Plunkett Foundation and instrumental in forming the CBS as the campaign vehicle.
Robert Lee
Chairman of the Campaign
Robert has had a 40 year career in general management and consultancy in the airline industry, over 30 being with British Airways. He also spent eight years as a magistrate on the Richmond, Wimbledon and Clapham benches.
Richard Brown
Chairman: Operational Planning & Feasibility Committee
Richard has worked in both restaurants and pubs throughout his career and brings his operational experience to support the Save the Dip campaign. He lives in Hampton Hill and often frequented the Dip when living previously in Milton & then Tudor Road.
Nick Kennerley
Chairman: External Communications Committee
Tim Forsyth RIBA
Chair: Design & Construction Management Committee
Tim is a Chartered Architect who has worked in LB Richmond for the last 50 years, and was formerly a Vice President of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Nasreen Shah
Membership Secretary & Administration
Nasreen has built a career in administration and supporting leadership in a range of London based SMEs and large corporates.
Steve McCubbin
Chair: Editorial Committee