Pubs in line for £3m TV lottery project
Pubs are urged to get involved in a £3m project that will see National Lottery cash granted for community projects.
Rural regeneration group Pub is the Hub says the Village SOS scheme represents a golden opportunity for pubs to spearhead new enterprises in their communities.
Six national projects will be awarded the funding.
Successful schemes will be chosen in conjunction with the BBC1's The One Show, which launched Village SOS in three programmes screened earlier this week.
Applications are open until August, with the six schemes profiled in a series of programmes that will go out in the spring next year.
Hub director John Longden said: "The grants will range in value between £100,000 and £400,000, which is substantially more than the cost of an average Hub scheme, which is between £12,000 and £30,000.
"But we see this as an opportunity for licensees and village pubs to lead from the front and provide the catalyst for major projects to help their communities.
"These may not be dedicated pub schemes in themselves, but pubs are now often the only community enterprise in a village, so it's a big chance for them to get involved," he said.
In addition to the six national projects the initiative will also offer help and advice for rural communities keen to improve life in their locality.
Village SOS kicked off on The One Show this week. You can view the programme again and find further information on how to apply at www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow.
