The new 2-year programme will enable Pub is The Hub, which offers advice to publicans on rural services diversification, to help some pubs diversify their premises to provide local services and amenities in rural areas across Wales, such as village stores, community cafes, IT Hubs, allotments, and libraries.
Pub is The Hub chief executive John Longden said: “This new project funding from The Prince’s Countryside Fund will allow Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund, to offer small grants together with advice and guidance, to help local publicans make a difference in their rural Welsh communities.”
Heart of community
This comes as last month the not-for-profit organisation helped the Marquis of Granby, Granby, Nottinghamshire, open an on-site store and coffee shop while earlier on this year, in January, Pub is The Hub helped the Royal Oak Hotel in Beckermet, Cumbria open the only shop in the local village as well as provide takeaway food.
PCF executive director Keith Halstead said: “The PCF is pleased to support Pub is the Hub in developing its support to rural communities across Wales.
“The pub is often at the heart of community life and the PCF’s investment in this vital project will enable more publicans to provide essential services which residents need."
Support local diversification
During lockdown Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund helped 20 pubs across the country diversify and adapt their premises to open on-site village stores with 200 out of the some 600 pubs helped by the organisation having benefitted from the Community Services Fund.
Pub is The Hub Wales advisor and director Malcolm Harrison said: “This marvellous support and encouragement from The Prince’s Countryside Fund will make a big difference to many rural communities in Wales, enabling Pub is The Hub to support local diversification projects at a very challenging time for people and businesses in many rural areas.
“We are looking for good publicans in Wales with pubs that can offer a vital service to people in their local area.”
