The EWCBS has been formed to purchase The Britannia Inn and secure its future for the benefit of the community. As of 30th April 2024, it is fully registered with the financial conduct authority(FCA); registration number 9280.
The EWCBS will shortly launch a share offer to secure funds for the purchase. The purchase of
the minimum share requirement upwards will confer membership of the society, giving members a stake hold in the business. An interim Steering Committee was established in March 2024 (see below). It is not too late to join if you feel you have particular areas of expertise. On completion of the Share Offer the first AGM of the Society will be held, where existing members will retire and stand for re-election. This will allow all shareholders to stand for and to elect the Management Committee who will take the project forward.
Theo Butt Philip grew up in East Wells and moved back three years ago, with his wife and young children. He started the moves to for the community to acquire and reopen the pub in response to the lack of community facilities in this part of the city. He is a former Mayor of Wells and is currently a member of both Wells City Council and Somerset Council.
John has been passionate about pubs and their role in communities since first visiting his village ‘local’ over 55 years ago. He was a partner in a business providing stocktaking and accountancy services, whilst also working to gain experience in all practical aspects of pub operations and management. John is an experienced pub operator and landlord who has successfully owned and run numerous pubs and bars in the west country and beyond. He particularly enjoys the challenge of restoring and rejuvenating closed-down pubs.
Neil was born, bred and schooled in Wells, returning to the area with his own children. Having 30 years in operational and customer facing roles mainly in managerial positions, Neil is keen to support the success of local initiatives by providing operational support and direction
Ian has lived in Wells for nearly 40 years and has always been interested in local Pubs and the importance of social & community spaces in the area. He has a background in IT within large corporate organisations, currently working as a Digital & Business Process Consultant for an international technology company, based in London. Ian is married to Ruth, a mosaic Artist. Their five children were all brought up in Wells. Ian’s background is as a classical musician and more recently building and renovating properties. He feels passionately that The Britannia is an essential asset for the community of East Wells and wider and that we must do everything we can to secure this space for future generations.
Mark has lived in Wells all his life. He is a care worker with the elderly as well as being a tour guide at Wookey Hole Caves. For twenty years he provided the weekly cartoon for the local paper. In the past he has organised pub quizzes at the Britannia Inn, which the society are aiming to reopen as a community pub.
Terri has lived in the Mendip area for 25 years, the last 5 in Wells. A nurse and midwife by background, she works as a clinical lead/project manager for the BNSSG local maternity and neonatal system. Now living a few doors away from The Britannia Inn, she would love to see the establishment of a pub/community hub at the Inn.
John has lived in Wells since April 1987.
The former landlord of the “New Inn” (now closed) in St Thomas Street Wells, after which he worked in transportation he retired in 2023.
Sandra has lived in the Mendip area for over 30 years with the majority of those being in Wells. She has had the opportunity to call the Britannia Inn “her Local” for the last 20 of those and has enjoyed both meeting friends and holding family events at The Britannia during that time. The Pub has been much missed, and she looks forward to a time when the pub will reopen and welcome old and new patrons.