Grants of up to £6,000 could be available for publicans in rural, remote, or deprived areas, who want to offer additional services and/or activities to help their communities.
The addition of a village store can add social value for a pub
These can include a range of services from community cafés, village stores, and allotments, to activities such as theatre and craft workshops. All things which can help to bring people together to combat social isolation and loneliness.
The news comes from Pub Is The Hub, the not-for-profit organisation founded by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales. The organisation offers independent specialist advice to publicans and their communities on service diversification and activities.
“In isolated rural and deprived areas, adding a service such as a village store, community café, or running activities such as craft workshops or theatre at the local pub can be a great way to support people living locally,” said chief executive John Longden.
Publican Rhiannon Metters, of The Halfway, Tal-Y-Coed, in Wales, opened a village store and a marquee events space with help from Pub is The Hub.
“We are situated in an isolated rural community, with the pub being the hub of the aream” she said. “It is so important that we support local people, ensuring they do not feel isolated and alone. With the nearest supermarket being 20 mins away, the village store, here in this isolated rural area, is such a support to people in the local community.
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“The marquee has become a space where we run local courses such as CPR and craft workshops, to help bring people together. We have noticed that there are a lot of new people, including women on their own, coming in to use the pub, either using the village store or joining for classes.”
As well as helping the publicans to engage further with their local community, projects can also add social value to an area. For every £1 spent on a new project through the Pub is The Hub, £8.28 of social value is created, it is said.
Social value measures the added value an initiative brings to society and takes into account the wider social, economic, and environmental wellbeing benefits that a service or project can bring to an area.
Pub is The Hub recently revealed it will be helping and advising more pubs to diversify their local services and activities after receiving access to government funding.
Find out more about funding opportunities here.
