Residents make significant steps in Semington pub campaign

Villagers in Semington have reached a milestone in their campaign to re-open the 18th-century Somerset Arms.

The Semington Pub Action Group has applied to the Financial Conduct Authority to form a Community Benefit Society (CBS) to support their efforts to purchase and restore the historic pub.

Ian Williamson, who would become chair of the CBS said, “With the right legal entity in place, we can publish a serious business plan, and we aim to launch a share offer in the very near future”   

The Somerset Arms has been closed for more than two years, and a village-wide survey confirmed there was overwhelming support for the pub’s reopening.

Ian said, “It has been really exciting to see folk of all ages and all walks of life so keen to share ideas and time to make this happen.

“We now have a lot of the project management and business know-how that we need. And once we’ve bought the pub, we can count on dozens of volunteers who can’t wait to get cracking on the renovation.”

There has already been some fundraising, including quiz nights and other village events. The campaign has also had strong support from Semington Parish Council, which registered the pub as an Asset of Community Value and has provided small grants to the group. These have enabled it to obtain professional help from the Plunkett Foundation, which supports community businesses.

The current owners – the Wellington Pub Company – have until 1st May to sell the pub on the open market. After that, Wiltshire Council will ask the parish council whether it wants to trigger a six-month moratorium, in which the company will have to consider a village bid but will not be obliged to accept it.

Steering group member Glen Watson said, “We have a lot of hard work ahead of us. But we all agree it’s worth it if we can look forward to a lovely pint in our beautiful old pub, which has so much to offer for villagers and tourists to enjoy.”

Pictured: The Semington Pub Action Group outside the Somerset Armsa