Somerset community bid to save Grade II listed pub fails to meet funding target

The Globe Inn has served the Milverton community for over 300 years. Credit: Milverton Community Benefit

A Somerset community group's bid to save its Grade II listed local pub has been called off after a failure to raise the necessary funds.

The Milverton Community Benefit Society (MCBS) was set up with the goal of acquiring the freehold of The Globe Inn - after its owners struggled with declining visitors and profits.

However, the group has now dropped its campaign - citing an inability to "raise the necessary funds to make a viable offer to the current owners".

The Globe Inn has served Milverton's community for over 300 years and dates back to the late 18th century. It served its last orders in late September 2024.

The community group posted an update to their website announcing the end of the campaign. All funds donated will be returned by February 2025.

The group said: "Despite extensive efforts and engagement with various stakeholders, we have been unable to raise the necessary funds to make a viable offer to the current owners.

"We explored opportunities for government grants and engaged with local representatives, including our MP, Rachel Gilmour.

"We are grateful for the support of everyone who has contributed to this initiative. We remain committed to serving Milverton’s community and will continue to explore ways to make a positive impact. Updates will be shared as they become available."

In August, the community group had called on local residents to "pop in for a pint" to help the struggling establishment, as the number of visitors to the pub had "dramatically fallen."

"Quite simply there have not been enough people using the pub over the last three months to make it financially viable.

"Over the last few months the turnover has fallen short of the money needed to break even, let alone make a profit to sustain [owners of the pub]."

MCBS had called on locals to do four things to help: "Pop in for a pint. Stop in for dinner. Tell other people about The Globe needing their immediate help. Don't put off doing the above until it's too late."

The community group will now focus efforts on ensuring the pub becomes an Asset of Community Value (ACV). An ACV designation recognises a land or property of importance to a local community and provides the community with opportunities to purchase it in the future.