In a remarkable display of community spirit, the villagers of Bayford, Somerset, have successfully resurrected their beloved local pub. The Unicorn Inn, which closed its doors in 2024, was purchased at auction by a dedicated group of residents and reopened last November under a new name: The Bayford Inn.
Sam Lane, a businesswoman and lifelong Bayford resident, recalls the despair that swept through the village when the pub closed. “We all said, ‘That’s the last business in Bayford. This is going to be really sad,’” she shared with Somerset Live. But when news came that the property was going to auction, hope was revived.
A small “interim committee” reached out to villagers to invest in purchasing the pub, and an astonishing £300,000 was pledged by a community of just around 60 households. At the auction in October 2024, Sam bid against two others and secured the pub for £200,000—a far cry from its £399,000 sale price in 2007. “The three minutes of bidding were the most adrenaline-fueled of my life,” Sam recalls, still shaking afterward.
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Initial excitement gave way to the realization that the pub required significant work. When the committee first entered, they found food left unopened for eight months, leaving Sam to wonder, “What have we done here?” However, the villagers’ commitment never wavered. Most of the renovation was carried out by local volunteers, giving the pub a fresh new look and renewed purpose.
The grand reopening in November saw The Bayford Inn flourish, bringing in around £1,000 during its opening weekend alone. While the kitchen remains closed, pop-up food nights have been a hit with patrons, promising a vibrant culinary future.
In a challenging climate where six pubs close every week across the UK, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, The Bayford Inn’s revival offers a beacon of hope. Sam plans to recover the £200,000 purchase cost and eventually transition ownership fully to the community shareholders.
Currently, The Bayford Inn boasts 90 shareholders—a mix of local residents, visitors with fond memories of the pub, and even 10 international investors eager to visit their stake in this unique community venture.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, The Bayford Inn welcomes visitors with the following hours: 4 pm to 11 pm Wednesday to Friday, noon to 11 pm on Saturdays, and noon to 6 pm on Sundays. The pub continues to seek new shareholders, inviting all interested to reach out via its website.