A regional family brewery with a significant presence in the Chichester area is approaching a major philanthropic milestone, having donated nearly £1 million to local causes over the last quarter of a century.
Hall & Woodhouse, which operates The Fountain in Southgate and The Lamb Inn at West Wittering, confirmed that its Community Chest fund is nearing the seven-figure mark as it celebrates its 25th year of operation. To mark the anniversary, the brewer increased its 2026 funding pot to £80,000.
The scheme was founded in 2002 by Mark Woodhouse and has since supported more than 1,000 charities and community groups across the South of England.
Supporting local groups
The Community Chest is designed to assist smaller organisations that may struggle to find funding through national channels.
The funding comes at a time of financial growth for the independent brewery. For the financial year ending 31 January 2026, Hall & Woodhouse reported an underlying profit before tax of £9.3 million.
Beyond the Chichester city centre and coastal pubs, the company’s charitable reach extends across its entire estate in the South East and South West. The fund prioritises projects that demonstrate a clear community benefit, ranging from youth clubs and sports teams to elderly support services and environmental initiatives.
How to apply
Community groups in Chichester looking for support in the next round can prepare their cases for next year. Details for the Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest are available for those seeking funding.
Prospective applicants are generally required to provide details on how the grant will be spent and how it will improve the local area. The brewer aims to ensure the money reaches grassroots projects where relatively small grants can have a disproportionately high impact.