AN appeal for villagers in Milverton to make more use of their last remaining public house to help keep it open while efforts continue to raise funds to buy it for the community has failed.

Milverton Community Benefit Society said in August the Globe Inn could close by the end of the month unless more residents used it for a pint and a meal.

Now, owners Mark and Adele Tarry have announced they are closing imminently, having run the pub for 18 years.

A society spokesperson said: “We know this is a significant loss for the community, and like many we share in the disappointment of seeing such an important local hub close its doors.

“However, the society remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a pub within the village.

“We are actively exploring all available options to ensure that Milverton continues to have a pub to serve as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

“Please be assured we are working diligently, and we will provide further updates as soon as we are able, though this is not likely to be until after the Budget.”

The society has applied for a £300,000 Government Levelling Up grant which if successful would leave it £100,000 short of its £580,000 target.

The grant application was initially put on hold when the General Election was called in the summer.

Now, it has to wait for the new Government to set out its financial strategy in the Budget being delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on October 30.