The Badger Inn in Lelant, near St Ives, has re-opened its village shop with a £3,800 grant, while the Royal Standard in Gwinear, near Hayle, has opened a community playground after receiving £1,500.
Local action group funding had been fully allocated by October last year, but after the official launch of Pub is the Hub’s ‘fund of last resort’ in April, local advisor Reg Clarke was able to make an application for the grants to get the projects of the ground.
Bertie Bodmer, who took on the St Austell-owned Badger Inn two years ago, inherited the morning newspaper sales following the closure of the village shop the year before. The grant enabled him to convert the outbuilding into a permanent village shop, selling newspapers, local produce and other essential and convenience items
He said: “Since taking on the pub I have tried to pick up where other services in Lelant have been lacking. The shop is an extension of that service as well as an outlet for local suppliers and additional employment.”
Meanwhile, owners of the Royal Standard Wayne and Nicola Berry decided to utilise their large pub garden with a community adventure playground for children in the local area.
Wayne said: “Having two children ourselves, we know that they need lots of fresh air and activity in a safe and controlled environment. We’re just so pleased with the support we have had from Reg and Pub is The Hub in getting this project off the ground.”
Chief executive for Pub is the Hub John Longden added: “When we launched an appeal for this new fund it was with the idea that many diversification initiatives like this can be stimulated by relatively modest grants. We were delighted to support both schemes and will continue to offer support and advice where we can.”
Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund was established with funding pledges from the government and the drinks group Diageo in April to help UK pubs diversify into new services provision for their communities and improve the local economy.