Sherborne Community Pub Reopens Following £135,000 Transformation

 The Britannia in Sherborne, a local community pub, reopened on Friday 17th November following a combined investment of £135,000 from the UK’s leading community pub company, Admiral Taverns and passionate licensees, Hannah and Lee Steele. The investment has enabled the husband-and-wife duo to breathe a new lease of life into the pub, further cementing it at the heart of the community. 

The licensees have worked hard to modernise The Britannia whilst preserving the pub’s original characteristics to ensure it stays true to its traditional roots.  

Internally the pub has been split into three areas to ensure it caters to all tastes. Customers can enjoy a cosy main bar with newly upholstered wooden furniture and booths, as well as a peaceful dining room complete with an open fireplace. The pub will also feature a games room with its own bar, a juke box, a pool table and flat screen televisions hosting Sky Sports. 

Externally, the pub has been refreshed and hosts a spacious outdoor decking area – complete with shelter so it can be enjoyed all-year-round – seating up to 50 people. 

Hannah and Lee are experienced multiple operators having been at the helm of The Britannia since 2021. The dynamic couple also run the Rose & Crown, a traditional country pub owned by Admiral Taverns, as well as several other local businesses. The Rose & Crown also underwent a significant investment of £80,000 during the summer to ensure it can remain a popular local destination. 

As seasoned locals themselves – with Hannah growing up in the surrounding area and Lee being a resident for over 20-years – the pair bring a wealth of invaluable knowledge and experience to the pubs. This, combined with their passion for the community, gives them the tools and know-how to create a lively social hub for everyone to enjoy. 

Hannah Steele, Licensee at The Britannia, commented: “Lee and I are over the moon with how the refurbishment has turned out – The Britannia look fantastic! We are so excited to show off its new look to our customers, old and new, and we can’t wait to see what the future brings for us here. It’s such a special place, close to the heart of many, and we feel honoured to be playing such a huge part in its success.” 

The couple take pride in their extensive drinks selection which features an array of premium lagers, real ales and ciders including Doom Bar, Madri, Prava, Guinness and Thatchers. The pub also hosts an impressive range of gins from popular crowd pleasers to artisanal treasures and the licensees hope to welcome a delicious new cocktail menu in time. 

Moving forward, Hannah and Lee will introduce a food offering consisting of classic pub favourites with an elevated twist, all homemade on site using the best, locally sourced produce. Much like the Rose & Crown’s food menu, Lee and Hannah hope to make The Britannia’s a sellout success. 

The licensees will continue to host monthly bingo and quiz evenings all-year-round and monthly outdoor live music nights during the summer. In addition, as they do for the Rose & Crown, they will introduce regular charity events to raise money to support all aspects of community life. For Lee and Hannah, it’s essential that the pub is more than just a place to drink, but also a place that brings people together. Most recently, they held a barrel race the Rose & Crown and managed to raise £2,000 for the local church and nursery.