A village pub that shut in 2024 has been giving a new lease of life after being bought by the local community.
The Bayford Inn, in Wincanton in Somerset, set up a Benefit Society and raised funds to buy, restore and reopen the pub.
It is now owned by more than 100 community shareholders, each with an equal vote with the pub operating on a not-for-profit basis, reinvesting any surplus into improvements and community projects.
Samantha Lane, vice chairman of the Bayford Inn Benefit Society, told BBC Radio Somerset: “This was the last business in Bayford and just sadly, it was falling into disrepair. So we brought it into the community again and saved it!”
She continued: “A lot of residents had fond memories here and so I personally bid for it at auction on on behalf of the community, and we won.
“There’s some horrible statistics about pubs closing every week.
“But the spirit is there with community pubs, the vision is there, and I have absolute faith that this place is gonna be thriving for years to come.”
There’s plans to bring it fully into the community ownership in the near future with shares available to buy up to a maximum of £250.
The pub owners says after a year of renovation, the next plan is to look at opening the kitchen and then possibly using some rooms for accommodation.
