Heart of the community: Somerset pub transforms into vibrant village hub

A once‑empty Somerset pub is bursting back to life by diversifying to become a thriving community hub complete with a village store, café, library, and a packed calendar of social events designed to bring people together.

Since reopening in November 2025, The Butchers Arms in Carhampton, near Minehead, has reinvented itself as a warm, welcoming space for locals, walkers, tourists, community groups and people of all ages.

Four generations of the same family sold their homes and travelled over 200 miles from Manchester to buy the empty West Somerset pub. Publican Nick Moores, moved in with his son Jasper, his parents Tina and Frank, and 90-year-old grandfather Rex.

The family has worked to make the pub the real hub of its community by adding services and space to help people socialise and connect including a small village store and cafe.

It has proved so popular with local people and community groups that they needed to expand. The revamped village store and café now boast a brand‑new seating area, giving locals a cosy place to meet over coffee, cake and conversation. The shop has also broadened its range, stocking more chilled goods and a growing selection of products from local suppliers.

To support older residents and those feeling isolated, the pub has opened a new community library, a warm, inviting space where people can sit, meet, read and relax.

Outside, a refreshed seating area gives groups space to gather safely throughout the warmer months.

A new PA and projection system has unlocked even more opportunities for community events. From lively quiz nights to movie screenings, talks, meetings and club gatherings, the pub is becoming a one‑stop hub for connection, especially for those who may feel isolated and lonely.

Expert guidance and access to a grant from Pub is The Hub, supported by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), has meant the pub has been able to expand its offer to local residents and community groups.

The project has been supported by the DBT as part of its Hospitality Support Fund, which aims to strengthen rural communities by helping pubs diversify and remain sustainable community assets.

Publican Nick Moores said: “The support from local people has been unbelievable. The Butchers Arms is now a true hub for everyone from children and families to older residents. We also host a raft of community groups such as the local church group and charity nights while local societies such as Coastwatch, beekeepers, Bellringers, Fete committee, Skittles team and Knit and Natter group meet at the pub.

“Everyone receives a warm welcome at The Butchers Arms.”

Pub is The Hub regional advisor Roger Belle added: “This family have brought the pub back to the village and it is vital for keeping people in this rural community connected. Whether someone is popping in for a pint of milk or a pint of beer, this is a shining example of what a great rural pub can be.”

Kate Dearden, Minister Employment Rights and Consumer Protection, said: “Rural pubs like The Butcher’s Arms are vital to their communities. Whether it’s by creating jobs or providing residents and tourists, like those in Carhampton, with a place to come together and socialise.

“This is exactly why we are working to secure the future of rural pubs with our Hospitality Support Fund. From April every pub will also get 15% off its new business rates bill on top of the £4.3bn support package announced at Budget.”

Editor's Notes

Pub is The Hub is a not-for-profit organisation, which offers independent specialist advice to publicans on services diversification and activities so they can all provide viable local services and social value at the heart of their community.

With a proven track record of rural project development and delivery over the last 25 years, Pub is The Hub has worked with great publicans to open village stores, libraries, cafes, community cinemas, allotments, play areas and much more. Since 2013, the organisation has also been able to offer small grants through its Community Services Fund.

Pub is The Hub has helped over 600 pubs diversify, with more than 250 of these benefitting from help through the Community Services Fund.

Building on its community services work, in 2018 Pub is The Hub conceived its ‘Join Inn – Last Orders for Loneliness’ campaign. ‘Join Inn’, specifically looks to support publicans and their communities to become better connected, helping local people feel less isolated and, in the process helping to alleviate loneliness through a variety of activities.

Website: www.pubisthehub.org.uk

Twitter: @PubistheHub_uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pubisthehub

Images:

The new PA and projection system has unlocked more opportunities for community events. Pictured: Publican Nick Moores. (Photo credit: Nina Dodd) [attached]

Four generations of the same family run The Butchers Arms. (Left to right: Frank Moores; Rex Keating; Jasper Moore; Nick Moores, and Tina Moores). (Photo credit: Nina Dodd) [attached]

The new community library is a warm, inviting space where people can sit, meet, read and relax. (Photo credit: Nina Dodd) [attached]

The revamped village store provides an important service for locals. (Photo credit: Nina Dodd) [attached]

The village store and café boast a new seating area, giving people a cosy place to meet over coffee, cake and conversation. (Photo credit: Nina Dodd) [attached]

For more information:

Michelle Perrett, Media Advisor, Pub is The Hub – michelleperrett@pubisthehub.org.uk

Third-party news items are published as received for informational purposes. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Guild. Please use the contact details within the post for any enquiries.