A much-loved village pub in Cardiff has been rescued from the brink of corporate takeover thanks to a ground-breaking property deal led by Peter Lynn and Partners Solicitors.
The purchase of The Three Horseshoes in Peterston Super Ely marks a major win for community ownership and highlights the critical role of specialist legal expertise in complex commercial property transactions.
The Three Horseshoes pub, a familiar fixture in the heart of Peterston Super Ely, was at risk of being lost to a larger operator. Instead, thanks to a remarkable collective effort – and the expertise of Peter Lynn and Partners’ Commercial Property team – it now has a secure future under the stewardship of the local community.
Led by Commercial Property Solicitor Alex Kurtz-Shefford, the £510,000 freehold acquisition was completed on behalf of Restore Pub (Property) Ltd, the entity behind the purchase.
Operated under an Opco-Propco structure and fronted by sole director Monika Zakrzewska, the business has now secured long-term ownership of the site, ensuring the pub continues to serve food, drink, and community spirit to the area it has supported for generations.
“Deals like this don’t come around often,” said Alex Kurtz-Shefford. “The complexity of the funding model, combined with the number of contributors and the source of funds, meant rigorous anti-money laundering checks had to be conducted.
Much of the funding for the deposit came from a community-led GoFundMe campaign and a series of gifted contributions—an approach that, while heart-warming, required exceptional attention to regulatory compliance.
With strong due diligence and legal structuring, the Peter Lynn and Partners team navigated the challenges and delivered the outcome the community had hoped for.
Monika Zakrzewska, who has run The Three Horseshoes for the past year, expressed her gratitude:
“Peter Lynn and Partners were absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Alex and the team guided us through every legal hurdle with clarity and confidence. Without their expertise, this deal would not have happened. It means everything to me and the community that this pub stays in local hands.”
Finance for the deal was arranged by Mark Standley of Standout Capital Solutions, who worked closely with the legal team to ensure everything stayed on track.
“It was a pleasure to work alongside Peter Lynn and Partners on this transaction,” said Mark. “Commercial property deals involving community investment aren’t straightforward, but Alex brought clarity and professionalism throughout. It’s a textbook example of how collaboration gets results.”
The Three Horseshoes will continue to trade as a food-and-drink-led venue, providing a social hub for Peterston Super Ely residents. The site also includes a quirky alpaca petting zoo—another unique feature that adds to its charm and community value.
Had the deal fallen through, the pub could have been sold on the open market and potentially lost to a chain operator. Instead, it now stands as a model for what can be achieved when local people, smart financing, and the right legal team come together.
“We’re proud to have played a role in securing the future of a local institution,” said Alex Kurtz-Shefford. “At Peter Lynn and Partners, we specialise in finding solutions where others see obstacles. Working with forward-thinking clients like Monika and Restore Pub (Property) Ltd is what we’re all about—preventing legal problems and helping good businesses succeed.”
