PUB fans and investors in Wells are being offered the chance to snap up a share of a city venue as the community looks to bring it back to life.

The Britannia Inn, in Bath Road – known as The Brit – shut in June 2021 after the retirement of landlords Rob and Karen Rouse after 35 years behind the bar.

It has lain empty ever since, and is up for sale for £300,000.

Thirsty locals have been keen to revive the landmark venue ever since, and last year founded the East Wells Community Benefit Society (CBS) with the goal of buying and re-opening the pub.

The latest step of their journey starts on Saturday, April 5, when a share offer opens, giving local the chance to invest in the future of The Brit.

On the same day, a drop-in meeting will take place at St Thomas’ Church Hall, where more information will be available about the project.

The community share offer is seeking to raise around £450,000 to pay for the purchase, repair and refurbishment work required.

And from April 5, applications for community shares in the East Wells CBS can be made online at www.savethebritanniainnwells.org, or using paper copies of the application form available at the drop-in meeting.

Shares will be priced at £1 each, with a minimum investment of £50, and a maximum of £25,000, with the share offer closing on May 30.

If it fails to reach the initial target, the East Wells CBS may decide to extend the offer for a further month.

Members of the East Wells Community Benefit Society steering group showing support for The Britannia Inn, Wells

The Society’s Business Plan and Share Offer Prospectus will be available to read at www.savethebritanniainnwells.org, with both documents also available at the St Thomas’ Church Hall drop-in meeting, where residents are welcome to call any time between 2pm and 6pm.

As well as finding out more about the share offer, visitors can view display boards about the project and talk to members of the East Wells CBS steering group.

Refreshments will be available to buy, including tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcohol from the licensed bar.

Chair of the steering group, Councillor Theo Butt Philip, said the East Wells CBS vision is to create a welcoming pub and hub at the heart of East Wells, owned and run for the benefit of the community, where a variety of activities take place.

“The opening of the share offer gives us all an opportunity to club together and buy the Brit, so that it can once again become a vibrant community pub for East Wells,” he said.

“I know we need to raise substantial funds for this project to work, but I also know how much people want to see the Brit reopened and I’m hopeful that our community will come good and find the money we need to make this project happen.”

Last year, The Britannia Inn was registered as an Asset of Community Value by Somerset Council, following an application by Wells City Council, because of its importance to the community.

In a 2024 consultation, 90 per cent of respondents said it is important or very important to have a local pub in East Wells.

The Save the Britannia campaign has the backing of Wells and Mendip Hills MP Tessa Munt, and the Bishop of Bath & Wells, the Rt Rev Michael Beasley.