Opened in December 2013 by Punch licensees Mark and Rachel Graham, with support from Pub is The Hub and Cornwall council, the library has been a valuable community asset to the adjacent village attracting many regular library members as well as pub goers who fancy a quiet read with their pint. In addition, the pub is also home to a hairdressing salon six days a week.
The minister said he was impressed with the partnership arrangement between Pub is The Hub and Cornwall Council whereby the former finds rural pubs with space to spare and the latter provides the micro-library service. Both partners fund each project 50:50 for less than £1,000 per pub.
Jones said: “It is so encouraging to see what a good licensees like Mark and Rachel can achieve in supporting local services in the community and delighted that Cornwall Council are enjoying the benefit of their enthusiasm.
“Equally, I am amazed at the variety of different services that Pub is The Hub has encouraged over recent years and congratulate John Longden [chief executive] and his small team for the work they are doing with pubs all over the country.”
Diversification
Pub is The Hub has been able to offer small grants to licensees to support diversification projects since 2013 when it was able to launch the Community Services Fund with the financial backing of Diageo and the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Since then it has funded projects such as school dinners, farm shops, post offices, community centres, libraries, IT support and Wifi access.