Pub helps provide villagers with superfast broadband

The current holder of The Morning Advertiser-organised Great British Pub of the Year Award is set to become the 'hub' of its village.

The Bull in Ditchling, East Sussex, has offered its car park as the location for a fibre broadband cabinet, so more than 300 homes and businesses in the village will get access to high-speed fibre broadband.

The pub itself will also get the superfast technology.

Owner Dominic Worrall said: “Having been approached by the residents of Ditchling, I was delighted to offer some land to Openreach as we understood their expansion plans had been complicated because there wasn't a suitable public site in the village.

"I’m thrilled that this will now benefit the local school, businesses and homeowners to operate and connect at speeds that a modern and progressive village like Ditchling needs. It’s a true reflection of how a community can work together.”

Ditching has a population of about 2,000.

Customer interest 

Commenting on winning the overall Great British Pub of the Year Award, Worrall said: “We’ve have had a brilliant year and it’s going to be sad to hand it on. It’s been fantastic in terms of customer interest and visits but also in giving the pub a platform to look ahead.  

“We’ve got some great investment and expansion plans that include increasing the size of the kitchens, adding bedrooms and making a larger eating area. We've also added a garden pizza shack and bar and are installing a lovely wooden child-friendly area too.

“The interest in the pub from the award has us a definite boost in all areas.”  

  • This year’s Great British Pub of the Year Awards will be held on Thursday 7 September at London Hilton on Park Lane. To enter or order tickets click here.