A Somerset village is banding together to raise £450,000 in a bid to acquire and revive the only remaining pub in their area.
The Britannia Inn ceased operations in June 2021 upon the retirement of long-time landlords Rob and Karen Rouse after 35 years of service.
For the past four years, the pub has stood empty and is currently listed for sale at £300,000 by the Caldecotte Group.
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The East Wells Community Benefit Society (CBS), established last year, has initiated a share offer to rally funds for the acquisition, restoration, and reopening of The Britannia Inn located on Bath Road in Wells, Somerset.
The community share initiative aims to raise approximately £450,000 for the acquisition and necessary restoration work.
The East Wells CBS envisions the re-establishment of the pub as a central communal space, owned and operated for the community’s benefit, hosting a range of activities.
Priced at £1 each, the shares will require a minimum investment of £50 and a maximum of £25,000.
The share offer deadline is May 30, with the possibility of an extension should the initial target not be met.
Steering group Chair, Councillor Theo Butt Philip, expressed optimism, stating, “The opening of the share offer gives us all an opportunity to club together and buy the Brit, so that it can once again become a vibrant community pub for East Wells.”
The Britannia Inn was designated as an Asset of Community Value by Somerset Council in the previous year, emphasizing its significance to the local community.
An overwhelming 90% of respondents in a 2024 survey conducted by Wells Voice and online expressed the importance of a local pub in East Wells.
The “Save the Britannia” campaign garnered support from Wells and Mendip Hills MP Tessa Munt and the Bishop of Bath & Wells, the Rt Rev Michael Beasley.
The Society’s Business Plan and Share Offer Prospectus are accessible for review at www.savethebritanniainnwells.org.