Villagers launch campaign to buy their local pub

1 day ago

Jeremy SternWiltshire, Semington

Residents (L-R) Mike Woodrows, Andy Cobley and Ian Williamson are part of the Semington Community Benefit Society

BBC Three middle-aged men stand in front of a white pub. One of them, who has a styled, long white beard, is close to the camera than the other two — Residents (L-R) Mike Woodrows, Andy Cobley and Ian Williamson are part of the Semington Community Benefit Society

Villagers are clubbing together in an attempt to buy their local pub, which closed in 2023.

People in Semington, Wiltshire, want to reopen the Somerset Arms, which is currently on the market for £395,000.

The Semington Community Benefit Society has been formed with an aim of buying the rural watering hole through community shared ownership, with a minimum stake of £250.

Ian Williamson, chairman of group, said: "It's not just about alcohol... it's a hub. But also there are a significant amount of people who do enjoy their beer and cider and want to do that together as a group."

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On the shared ownership scheme, he added: "The primary thing is you will own a part of the pub. People will be able to buy a share in the pub and that share will enable them to influence how this pub is run."

The Somerset Arms has been closed since 2023 and been for sale since 2024, which is when the Semington Community Benefit Society formed.

A survey in the village was carried out the following year and the group got backing from Plunketts UK, a national charity which supports community businesses, in 2026.

Melksham resident Mike Woodrows enjoyed many a tipple in the Somerset Arms when it was open.

He is eagerly awaiting the return of the village's only pub.

The Somerset Arms has been shut for three years

Google Maps A white building with font which says 'Somerset Arms' and cars parked infront — The Somerset Arms has been shut for three years

Woodrows said: "It was brilliant. There was always a BBQ going. People brought their dogs, their children, they were all sitting around in tables and chairs in the sunshine.

"What more could you want? It's [Semington] lost a meeting place. It's a great shame. A village needs three things really, it needs a church, it needs a pub, it needs a shop. We've got one of those - the church."

The Somerset Arms public house has stood on the village's High Street for more than 200 years and was Grade II listed by Historic England in 1988.

Named after the Duke of Somerset, it was part of the Duke's estate and a popular coaching inn due to its location between Bath and Salisbury as well as with Devizes with onward travel to London.

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