THE East Wells Community Benefit Society (EWCBS) will be launching a second share offer in October to help raise funds to buy, refurbish and reopen The Britannia Inn as a community pub for the people of Wells.
The first share offer ran from April until the end of June and raised more than £76,000. The new share offer was announced at the first AGM of the EWCBS and will be launched on Saturday, October 4. It will give both new and existing shareholders the opportunity to become part-owners of their local pub and community hub. The entry-level investment has been kept at only £50 to encourage as many local people as possible to take a stake, and all funds invested will be ring-fenced and refundable in full should the project not reach its target by early 2026.
The EWCBS is in the process of applying to Somerset Council to extend the protected period status of The Britannia Inn under the Asset of Community Value legislation. If the application is successful, The Britannia Inn would not be allowed to be sold to anyone else for a further six months.
The next fundraising event will be another Quiz Night in St Thomas’ Church Hall on Saturday, October 11, at 7pm. Teams of up to six people are welcome, £3 per head. There will also be a raffle, and tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available. Guests are welcome to take their own alcoholic beverages. All proceeds will go to the ‘Save The Britannia’ fund. Contact Mark O’Callaghan on 01749 678725 or mendipmark@live.co.uk for further details or to book a team.