Wells Britannia bid lodged as appeal battle goes on

By Laura Linham 8th Apr 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 8th Apr 2026

East Wells campaigners trying to bring back The Britannia Inn say they have made a formal offer to buy the pub.

The East Wells Community Benefit Society said it submitted the offer to the current owners on Thursday, 27 March and is now waiting for a response. The group says the bid was made possible by support from shareholders and donors, along with a pledged large donation from a local benefactor.

The latest update means the long-running effort to reopen the Bath Road pub as a community venue has moved into a new phase.

The society also said it has spent recent weeks preparing a detailed submission to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the owners' appeal against the refusal of a housing scheme on the site.

Campaigners say their submission strongly restates their case that The Britannia Inn is viable and should remain a community asset for east Wells. A decision on the appeal is expected in the coming weeks, according to the group.

The share offer remains open through the society's website.

The Britannia closed in 2021 and campaigners say it had been the last local pub serving the eastern part of Wells. In 2024, it was listed as an Asset of Community Value, giving the community a chance to bid for it.

The East Wells Community Benefit Society was formed to secure the future of the pub and reopen it as a hub for local residents. The group says its vision is for The Brit to return as a welcoming community pub serving east Wells and nearby villages.

The campaign has also argued that the pub can succeed under community ownership, disputing claims that the site is no longer viable as a public house.

The Britannia has a long history in Wells. Built in 1879 by Queens Cross Brewery, it later passed into the hands of Frome United Brewery and remained a well-known local pub for generations. More recent campaign material says the aim now is to restore the building and bring it back into use before it is lost for good.