A Warm Welcome
"Rural communities, and this country's rural way of life, face unprecedented challenges ... the country pub, which has been at the heart of village life for centuries, is disappearing in many areas. Providing services from the pub, such as a post office or a shop, keeps an essential service in the village." HRH The Prince of Wales.
Pub is the Hub was initiated by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2001, as President of Business in the Community. It is affiliated to His Royal Highness's Rural Action Programme, and is a 'not for profit' advisory organisation.
Pub is the Hub encourages local authorities, local communities, licensees, pub owners and breweries to work together to support,retain and locate services within rural pubs. Pub is the Hub assists with guidance on availability of project funding, and having a thorough understanding of the pub business, is able to advise on the best way to progress with each individual project.
Pub is the Hub has formed successful partnerships with regional development agencies, local authorities, rural community councils and other public and private sector organisations, developing a solid track record of rural project development and delivery, and assisting the public and private sector to invest funds effectively.
Well run community pubs make a valuable contribution to society, and many provide a range of community services. Recently there have been an increasing number of communities taking action to ensure they do not lose this valuable community asset.
Pub is The Hub has advised over 30 communities who have considered taking over their pub, and we are currently advising a number of groups who are buying, leasing or starting to run their village pub and ensure it stays as a community focal point.
We constantly receive requests for help and support from communities who would like to take over their local pub- particularly in rural areas, and we have a great deal of good practice and resources to share, and regularly place communities in touch with one another.
Through Pub is the Hub we currently have 6 different types of 'community operation' models and we find that communities need a great deal of help with the complexities of running a pub, in addition to deciding which model to adopt and raising the finance.
Pub is The Hub works closely with the pub industry and we have persuaded some breweries and pub groups such as Palmers of Bridport, Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns to let pubs to communities on a short term basis so that they can try it first.
If your community is looking for practical advice and support on the best way to take over, set up and run a good community pub, please contact us and we will try to meet your group to help them, or talk to them over the phone and put them in touch with others who have been through the process.
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Local Community Services Champions Launched
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In the News
23-Mar-2012
Pub is The Hub Announces £1.3m Local Services Initiative for Welsh Pubs
Alun Davies, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes announced yesterday a £1.3m package of support for local services in rural pubs in Wales through a joint co-operation initiative between Pub is The Hub and Cadwyn Clwyd (the Regional Development Agency for Denbighshire and Flintshire).
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06-Mar-2012
Off to a great start in Lincolnshire
Seventeen pubs expressed their interest in diversification schemes at the Lincolnshire launch of Local Community Services Champions this week.
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25-Jan-2012
Free computer skills training in pubs
Pub is The Hub has joined forces with Lancashire County Council in their Local Community Services Champions initiative to provide free computer classes to absolute beginners.
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