A community campaign to buy and restore an 18th century pub in Semington is progressing as residents launch a share scheme.
The Semington Community Benefit Society (CBS), formed by villagers, seeks to buy and re-open the Somerset Arms, which has been closed since 2023.
The CBS is asking supporters to make a pledge to buy shares when they go on offer on 23rd April.
Chair Ian Williamson said, “We know there’s huge support in the village and beyond but we need to be sure that we can make a sensible bid for the pub, which is on the market for £395,000 plus VAT.
“So while the pledge is not binding, it’s vital that our supporters give a realistic figure because we’ll need that money if we can reach agreement with the owners.”
Ian said ‘things were moving quickly’ and told a packed public meeting in the village that the campaign was attracting interest from well beyond Semington, including an investor in America.
The share pledge will also coincide with beer festivals at Chippenham and Seend.
When the Somerset Arms closed in 2023, Semington Parish Council submitted a successful application to have the building registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
Keep up with the Semington Community Benefit Society’s progress at semington-cbs.co.uk.
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