Packhorse Inn

The Packhorse Inn in Southstoke within the English county of Somerset is a Grade II listed building which was largely rebuilt in 1674.[1] It was changed from a farmhouse to a pub in the 19th century but closed in 2012. A local campaign has achieved designation as an asset of community value has raised money to renovate it. The pub reopened in March 2018.

Packhorse Inn
LocationSouthstoke, Somerset, England
Coordinates51.3496°N 2.3646°W / 51.3496; -2.3646
Listed Building – Grade II
Official namePackhorse Inn
Designated1 February 1956[1]
Reference no.1232550
Location of Packhorse Inn in Somerset

History

The building existed as a farmhouse although its date of construction is unknown. It was rebuilt in 1674 when the date was carved into a stone over the front door. It became a pub in the mid 19th century,[2] although another building in the village had previously been known as "The Packhorse Inn".[3] In 1939 the licensee was Mrs Emily Rose.[4] The inn was owned by George’s Brewery.[5]

It closed as a pub in 2012 and was sold with plans being submitted to turn it into a private house.[6] A campaign has been instigated by the local population to save the pub and they successfully campaigned to have it designated as an asset of community value by Bath and North East Somerset council.[7] This provides some protection from development[8] under the Localism Act 2011.[9]

The campaign group organised a share issue with over 200 investors raising £601,000 and made plans for the refurbishment and reopening of the pub.[10] By September 2016 the total raised reached £685,000, enough to buy the building.[11]

In March 2018 the pub reopened.[12][13]

Architecture

The two-storey stone building has freestone quoins and a tiled roof. The gabled dormers contain attics. Underneath the building is a cellar.[1] It has a taproom which can seat 20 people and a lounge bar for another 20 with a large garden.[14]

References
  1. "Packhorse Inn". National heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  2. "South Stoke Conservation Area Appraisal" (PDF). Bath and North East Somerset. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  3. Canvin, John. "Southstoke History" (PDF). Southstoke Parish Council. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  4. "Somerset Public Houses 1939 directory – P." Pub History. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  5. "Early Memories of the Packhorse". The Packhorse. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  6. Moore, Anne (21 September 2015). "Planning application submitted for a change of use at the Packhorse Pub". Bath Chronicle. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  7. Wheatcrift, Geoffrey (10 September 2016). "The law that's letting local heroes save their village pubs". The Spectator. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  8. "Assets of Community Value". Bath and North East Somerset Council. 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  9. "The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012". UK Government Legislation. 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  10. "Did South Stoke save the Packhorse? Here's the answer". Awash with Ale. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  11. Crawley, James (21 September 2016). "South Stoke community set to buy The Packhorse Pub after £685,000 raised". Bath Chronicle. Archived from the original on 22 September 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  12. "South Stoke pub saved by £1m village fundraising opens". BBC. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  13. Morris, Steven (18 March 2018). "More and more pubs are closing every day. Here's how we saved ours". Guardian. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  14. "The Packhorse Inn, Southstoke". The Caterer. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
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