PLANS for the community to buy the last remaining pub in their village have led up "a blind alley".

But locals hoping people will buy shares in The Globe, in Milverton, are still confident they can work up a way of getting round a series of delays.

William Waddington, who has been heading up the initiative after landlords Mark and Adele Tarry announced they would be leaving after 17 years, has written to villagers ahead of a public meeting to discuss potential options.

He explains how plans to set up a Community Benefit Society (CBS) have stalled due to issues outside his control.

He said: "It is taking far longer than the group originally envisaged to set up the CBS.

"It’s a bit like buying a property. Once outside agencies are involved, in this case the Financial Conduct Authority, progress slows to a crawl.

READ MORE: Villagers' efforts to save their local pub. 

"There are also a number of questions that we need to get answers about how a CBS works in practice. That is happening as I write."

He added: "We can’t open a bank account until the CBS is in being.

"That in itself is another quite lengthy process, with all the security and other checks that are required by banks nowadays.

"We thought we had a way to circumvent this but it proved to be a blind alley. Therefore please be patient."

If the project goes ahead, the CBS, which would be set up if a private buyer did not come forward to purchase The Globe.

There would be shareholders investing in it, with each member having a vote and appointing a management committee that would be responsible for running the society.

Mr Waddington has previously stated that the "absolute intention" of the group looking into forming a CBS is "to ensure that Milverton retains its pub".

He told the County Gazette las month: ""The Tarrys could find a buyer quite quickly. On the other hand it might still be on the market for several months.

"A valuation is being arranged for September.

"Members of the group have been putting their heads together to look at how the pub will look and feel if the CBS does buy The Globe."

The public meeting is being held in Milverton's Victoria Rooms on Thursday, September 28, at 7pm.

Anyone with any queries can contact Mr Waddington via email at granbywadds@btinternet.com