The share offer to raise funds to buy, refurbish and reopen The Britannia Inn on Bath Road, Wells, will open on Saturday, April 5.

The Britannia Inn – or ‘the Brit’ as it was fondly known – closed in June 2021 when landlords Rob and Karen Rouse retired after 35 years. It has been empty ever since, and is currently for sale with the Caldecotte Group for £300,000.

The East Wells Community Benefit Society (CBS) was set up last year with the aim of buying the pub and re-establishing it at the heart of the local community. The community share offer is seeking to raise about £450,000 to pay for the purchase, and the repair and refurbishment work required. From April 5, applications for community shares in the East Wells CBS can be made online at www.savethebritanniainnwells.org or at the drop-in meeting at St Thomas’ Church Hall on that day (2pm -6pm).

Shares will be priced at £1 each, with a minimum investment of £50, and a maximum of £25,000. The share offer is due to close on May 30, though if it fails to reach the initial target the East Wells CBS may decide to extend the offer for a further month. The Society’s Business Plan and Share Offer Prospectus will be available to read at www.savethebritanniainnwells.org

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