A SOMERSET pub is set to feature in a new TV series broadcast in multiple countries including France, Germany, and more.
Based in Somerset, near Shepton Mallet, The Alhampton Inn, known as The Ally, is a pub that’s been around for over 350 years.
The visit from the TV crew came around after The Ally was highlighted in an article by The Sunday Times.
The article dives into how The Alhampton Inn was a pub that "lost its community spirit" before closing in 2022.
In August 2023, the pub's former locals reopened The Ally under new ownership in a bid to reunite the local community.
Last week on Sunday, November 17, French journalist Laure Van Ruymbeke visited to shoot video content to be broadcast in France, Germany, and Belgium on Arte, a well-known European Culture channel.
Arte offers a variety of programming, including films, documentaries, series, concerts, magazine shows, news, and analysis.
The channel also aims to promote issues that are important to European citizens, such as sustainable development, combating inequality, and respecting the environment.
Listed via the Daily Mail website, The Ally sells a pint for £4.50, with one of the favourites at that price being the Jaipur IPA, by Thornbridge Brewery.
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The Ally prides itself on being a traditional country pub, reopened by the community to create a special place for everyone to enjoy, proudly serving the very best Somerset has to offer.
With just over 60 houses in the village, the pub says it is "extraordinary" that 70 people are actively involved in sustaining the future of "The Ally". The pub's future is now looking "much rosier".
They are family—and dog-friendly, with open fires in the winter, several large outdoor areas in the summer, and plenty of parking.
Currently, The Ally serves drinks and Sunday roasts using local, sustainable suppliers.
Speaking about the upcoming appearance of The Ally on international broadcast, owner Zena Kay Pollard said: "We have gone into Europe!
"Last week, we had a visit from the French press; Her prompt to visit us was our article in The Sunday Times.
"Laure, the journalist and Lucie, her cameraman, are doing a piece that will be shown across France, Belgium and Germany.
"Their focus is twofold. They are mainly looking at the challenges facing UK pubs.
"Then, they're drawing parallels between the culture of communities coming together in the UK to save pubs (and other services) and the growing need and interest in France for following similar approaches to saving small businesses."
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