The Brewers Arms
It’s a year since The Brewers Arms in West Malvern re-opened under community ownership. This popular local pub was bought through a share scheme, and Brian O’Connell who is one of those involved, tells us more.
We bought the Brewers Arms in late September last year and it re-opened three months later on 10th December 2022. It couldn’t have been done without the overwhelming support of local people and its ongoing success is thanks to the hard work of our current tenants, Lee and Kim.
It’s still very much a local pub. A few weeks ago it was heaving when Lee and Kim hosted a Halloween event. They are trying to make it a pub for everybody and I’m pleased to say they are succeeding. As well as our local customers, we welcome walkers, cyclists and others from further afield. The idea is to cater for everyone without losing its special character.
The pub is owned as a Community Benefit Society and has 425 shareholders, many local but some far away (including France, America and Canada). We receive help from the Plunkett Foundation, a charity that supports rural communities to set up and run businesses. Our pub company is run by an elected committee. We hold an annual general meeting each year and we rent the pub to our tenants. Operating a pub business is complicated, it’s not simply a case of buying and then selling drinks!
Although operating successfully as a business with paid staff, volunteers still help out behind the bar. They enjoy the experience and give their time to help with the continued success of the pub.
After buying the pub, it was renovated and run by volunteers for three months which helped to give us a financial head start, ensuring financial stability that we still benefit from.
Work to improve the Brewers continues, with renovation and redecoration being carried out in the annexe, also known to locals as ‘the armpit’! The Brewers Arms is open every day except Monday. Food is served at lunchtimes and in the evenings Wednesday to Saturday and on Sunday lunchtime. It is not a ‘gastro pub’ but Lee and Kim are excellent chefs and serve excellent home cooked food. They also stock a good selection of local beers, wines and spirits.
The Pub will be open over Christmas. Do check us out on facebook or on our website or pop in for details of the opening times. There will be a Mummers Play, carols, and other music over the festive season. All are welcome.