Travers Smith Head of Real Estate Julian Bass and Litigation Associate Tessa Blunden, with planning advice from Romola Parish, acted pro bono on behalf of Ivy House Community Pub Limited (a not-for-profit community benefit society registered with the Financial Conduct Authority) to purchase the Grade II listed Ivy House Public House in Southwark, South East London. The Ivy House was the first building in London to be listed as an asset of community value under the Localism Act 2011. On completion of the purchase, the Ivy House became the first building in England to be bought by a local community using the right to bid legislation in the Localism Act 2011. The project won an English Heritage Angel Award for Best Rescue of a Heritage Building or Site on 21 October 2013.

Ivy House Community Pub Limited raised £1million in grant and loan finance to fund the purchase and went on to raise further funds from 371 shareholders by issuing withdrawable community share capital. The Ivy House is now London's first co-operative pub and performance space. 

Tessa Blunden is a co-founder of Ivy House Community Pub Limited.