The community group trying to buy their local pub say the campaign has hit a crucial stage.
The Somerset Arms is currently on the market with The Wellington Pub Company, with an asking price of £395,000, plus VAT. Alongside the purchase cost, significant additional funding will be required to restore the building.
Now the group is inviting its supporters to pledge how much they would be willing to invest in the project to save The Somerset Arms.
The CBS has said the pledges are a crucial first step in demonstrating that there is enough community backing to move forward with purchasing the historic pub.
From Thursday, April 23 until Wednesday, June 3, 2026, supporters can submit a non-binding pledge indicating how much they may invest in community shares.
Each share will cost £1, with a minimum investment of £250 up to a maximum of £50,000 for over 18’s.
Anyone aged between 16 and 18 can invest a minimum of £100. The pledge stage will help the Society understand the level of financial support available before putting in an offer to purchase the historic pub.
If the project progresses, pledgers will be asked to convert the pledge into a formal share purchase.
Despite the tall sum that needs to be raised, the community has said it is optimistic.
Chair of the CBS, Ian said: “The energy and hard work that the community is putting into this project is amazing, and a privilege to be part of.
“We are looking forward to purchasing and reimagining this essential bit of village heritage, and securing a tenant who shares our vision for it.
“Of course, this will require a great deal of financial support from the local and wider community, but with the current momentum we are very optimistic that we can achieve our goal.”
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Pledges can be made at savethesomersetarms.co.uk and the Society is also accepting donations at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-the-somerset-arms. You can also follow the campaign on Facebook and Instagram
The campaign has already attracted support from within the village and beyond, including backing from local MP, Brian Matthew: “I am proud to be supporting this campaign to reopen the Somerset Arms in Semington.
“Pubs are a vital community hub, particularly in our rural villages and I wish this campaign every success, and endeavour to do all that I can to help. I cannot wait to enjoy a pint in the reopened pub as soon as possible.”
Bill Scott, chair of Semington Parish Council: “Semington Parish Council is fully behind the campaign by the Semington Community Benefit Society to buy, refurbish and reopen the Somerset Arms for the community, and we have been pleased to provide tangible support to enable the Benefit Society to get up and running.
“Communities like Semington really need a pub; we shall continue to support this well organised campaign as it develops and we look forward to its success.”
The last 18 months have seen several pubs in south west Wiltshire successfully reopen after being purchased by their communities.
The Kings Head, in Chitterne, opened in June last year, marking the next chapter in the journey of a pub taken up and revived by its village community.
The pub shut its doors during the pandemic in 2020, despite the local community having long campaigned to take the site on.
Meanwhile in Limpley Stoke, the local CBS raised a huge sum to save the Hop Pole Inn from redevelopment.
The pub reopened in January 2025, and has seen instant success at a national level, bagging a number of awards, including being ranked in the top 30 UK pubs in last year’s inaugural Good Food Guide.
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