Historic pub reopened after two-year closure
BBCA 17th Century pub that has been closed for more than two years has reopened thanks to the local community.
The King William Inn in Catcott, Somerset, reopened on Wednesday after a community group raised money to ensure that it would be able to serve pints again.
The Catcott Community Benefit Society said that it would be run by a local couple and would serve as a community space for people in the village.
Jennie Heal, who lives in Catcott, said she was "thrilled" that the pub had reopened. She said: "When I got married, back in the day, I had my hen night here. There's a lot of memories like that."
The society has a tenancy agreement with the pub and some of the members own shares in it.
Jim Jones, tenant trade director at Palmers Brewery, which owns the pub, said: "This is fairly unique.
"We worked very closely with the community.
"It's a lesson - a pub is not just a place people go for food and drink, it's a hub for the community."
Chair of the community group Mark Adamson said they had made it a condition of opening the pub that residents had to volunteer to get it ready and commit to using it when it was open.
"It's been burgled twice, even the copper pipework has been nicked," he said.
"The community has been amazing, though.
"We have had tremendous support. Over 200 people donated."
Student Kadie King said her parents would be working in the bar and kitchen and she would be helping out in the summer.
"Since I was about four or five, we've been brought up in pubs," she said. "My parents love it and wanted to carry on doing it.
"In a city you have loads of other things to do but in villages you get that community spirit.
"Hopefully it will flourish."
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