Residents will have the chance to find out more about efforts to buy and reopen The Britannia Inn in Wells at a community drop-in session next month.

The event will take place on Saturday 5 April at St Thomas' Church Hall, where members of the East Wells Community Benefit Society (CBS) steering group will be available to discuss the campaign and how people can get involved by becoming community shareholders.

The Britannia Inn on Bath Road has been closed for nearly four years, but local campaigners have remained determined to bring the pub back into community use. The property, originally marketed for £350,000 by the Caldecotte Group, is now listed at £300,000.

The East Wells CBS has been established to lead the bid to buy the pub, carry out repairs, and reopen it as a community-owned venue. A bid to the Government's Community Ownership Fund had been prepared to help with funding, but that scheme was paused due to the General Election and has not yet reopened.

The drop-in event will offer an opportunity for residents to review the group's Business Plan and Share Prospectus, which will also be published online. Refreshments will be available on the day, including a licensed bar.

The Britannia Inn was designated an Asset of Community Value by Somerset Council in 2023, following an application by Wells City Council.

A community consultation held earlier this year found that 90 per cent of respondents believed having a local pub in East Wells was important or very important.