‘Can do’ community raises £400k to save local pub

08-Dec-2022 - Last updated on 08-Dec-2022 at 11:30 GMT

Delightful pub: the Brewers Arms in West Malvern, Worcestershire (pictured) has been saved by the local community

A team of volunteers, including a local vicar, have pledged to help run the Brewers Arms pub in West Malvern, Worcestershire, after raising more than £400,000 to save their local, with the pub reopening despite having no permanent tenant in place.

Following its closure in June this year, the 190-year-old pub, reportedly sold by Admiral Taverns for £295,000 plus legal fees, looked unlikely to reopen until 437 members of the local community raised more than £400,000 in just six weeks to buy and refurbish the site.

Since taking ownership, a small number of unpaid volunteers have dedicated themselves to renovating the venue ahead of its re-opening as the new Brewers Arms Community Pub on Saturday 10 December.

Key part

While no food will be served at the event, local amateur singing group the West Malvern Voices will be performing a specially composed song to mark the occasion, according to the pub’s Facebook page.

However, despite the communities’ efforts, the team have been unable to find someone to run the pub as a long-term tenant, leaving the group of volunteers, including the reverend of nearby church St James’, Rebecca Elliott, filling the breach.

Elliot said: “Like the church and the school, the pub is a key part of our local community.

Can do community

“Therefore, at its time of need, I’m delighted to be able to chip-in and do my bit. I’m quite looking forward to pulling a few pints, whilst also enjoying meeting up with local people.”

Meanwhile, the hunt for the right person, or people, to run the Brewers Arms goes on, with licensee Mark Haslam at the helm to welcome customers in the meantime.

Haslam said: “The Brewers Arms is a delightful pub, and we refuse to believe there aren’t the right people out there who want to become a key part of our vibrant and ‘can do’ community.”