Community pub hits the TV!

A licensee has launched an online TV channel to bring his traditional community pub into the 21st century.

Licensee Gary Nattrass has tapped into his former life as a dubbing mixer for ITV's The Bill by adding a new digital dimension to the Black Horse Inn, in Cornsay, County Durham.

The channel allows those living in the village to view the events held in the pub. "I'm just using modern technology to show people who have visited the pub, or would like to, what goes on here," Gary said.

"Pubs are disappearing at the moment and I am a great believer in preserving our heritage. I am using video to document what is happening in a traditional pub."

Whilst showcasing numerous birthday parties and the annual barn dance, the TV channel also reveals a side of the pub trade normally hidden from the consumer, with a behind-the-scenes look. "The site has proved to be really popular and has received nearly 700 hits in the last few months" said Gary. "We have had people viewing the videos in the US, Germany, Brazil and New Zealand. It takes social networking beyond having a pint in the pub."

He added: "Video is becoming much more accessible now, and this is definitely something other publicans can do to raise the profile of their pub."

Gary also hopes to develop the site it into more of an online community notice board, promoting local businesses, especially farms.

He added: "It is free advertising, but there is also a huge community aspect to it. People love knowing what's going on in their village, and being able to see themselves in videos which they can then share with friends.