The George Revival
A Pub For Mere, By Mere
The George Revival is a community-led project to bring Mere's 400-year-old pub back to life.
We're restoring The George Inn not just as a beautiful place to eat, drink & stay, but as a vibrant hub at the heart of local town life. With warm hospitality, seasonal food, local ales & a deep respect for its history, The George Inn will be revived for locals, visitors & future generations.
Join us on the journey.
What We're Doing
At The George Revival, we're breathing new life into Mere's historic 400-year-old inn. Our mission is to restore The George Inn as a thriving, welcoming space at the heart of the community - a place where locals & visitors alike can gather, eat well, stay comfortably & feel at home.We're creating:- A beautifully refurbished pub serving high-quality, locally sourced seasonal food & locally sourced drinks.- Eight boutique en-suite rooms for guests seeking charm and comfort in the heart of Wiltshire.- A warm, social atmosphere with events, live music, & space for community life to flourish.The George Revival isn't just about preserving the past, it's about building a future that's sustainable, inclusive, & full to the brim of heart!Why it matters:The George Inn has stood at the heart of Mere for over four centuries. We believe it deserves more than survival - it deserves revival! In an age of vanishing village pubs, we're building something lasting: a place with soul, shaped by locals, & open to all.
The George Revival Board (So Far...)
Founder & Chair (That's Me) - Driven by a love of great pubs & stronger communities. Leading The George Revival with heart, grit & a to-do list longer than the bar.
Future Board Member #1 - A strategic thinker with a soft spot for local ales & community resilience. You'd look great here.
Future Board Member #2 - Someone who knows their way around numbers, governance, or just really likes agendas. Let's talk.
Future Board Member #3 - Creative, commited, community-minded. Could this be you? The George needs voices like yours at the table.
Interested in joining the board?
Fill out the form below...
Contact Us
We're looking for passionate, community-minded people to help shape the future of The George Inn. Whether you're interested in joining the board, volunteering your skills, or just want to stay in the loop - we'd love to hear from you.
Next Steps & Support Needed
With our groundwork in place, we're now moving into a vital first phase: securing the lease and forming a strong leadership team.We're currently seeking:- Founding Investors - individuals/families who can commit £10,000 - £50,000 to help us secure the pub before it's lost
The Road So Far...
Since first seeing that The George was up for lease, we've been working quietly (and sometimes not so quietly!) behind the scenes to build something special - a community-owned pub that brings people together and secures this much-loved building for generations to come.This section is where you can follow our journey - what we've done so far, where we're headed, and how you can be part of it.Every step has been made possible by people who care about Mere and want to see The George thrive again. So whether you're a local, a supporter from afar, or just curious - welcome, and thank you for being part of The George Revival - a pub for Mere, by Mere.
So far...
Spotted The George Inn was up for lease
Started shaping a vision to bring it back as a high-quality, community-owned pub
Connected with Hall & Woodhouse to express interest
Designed promotional materials (social graphics, posters, investor emails)
Held a presentation and got some FANTASTIC advice, questions and feedback
Launched 'The George Revival' Crowdfunder campaign
Began building local momentum across Facebook, email, and in-person meetings
Created and launched the 'George Revival' website
Decided on the Community Benefit Society (CBS) model
Chose a governing structure using Plunkett Foundation's model rules as guidance
Created a phased fundraising strategy (starting with a £50k raise from Founding Investors)
Developed community share terms (£1 per share, £100 minimum, 2% capped interest, 5-year withdrawal rule)
Opened community interest forms and CBS board applications
Launched Phase 1: Founding Investor outreach
REACHED NEARLY £1000 IN EARLY PLEDGES ON CROWDFUNDER!!
