'Use local pubs' plea from operator as Gov funding reopens

14-Jun-2022 - Last updated on 14-Jun-2022 at 11:28 GMT

Spread opportunity: Community Ownership Funding applications open as operator says pubs should be rescued through use (Credit: Getty/stevegeer)

The Government has announced Community Ownership Funding applications have been opened once again, but one operator stated communities should use a pub to save it before it needs rescuing from funding.

Licensee of the Dog at Wingham, Canterbury, Marc Bridgen explained by the time village pubs are for sale they were usually failing and the community would be better using the pub more often before the need to turn to Government backing.

He said: “Village pubs are only really for sale when they're failing, because the community isn't supporting them.

Rescuing pubs

“For a community to let their pub fail, and to then get Government money to buy it to rescue it, it’s just going to fail again.

“If you want to rescue your local pub or restaurant, go and use it. Whether it’s a drink in the week and a meal at the weekends or, probably more help is a meal in the week and a drink at weekends, that's how you rescue your local pub.”

On Saturday 11 June the Government announced the second round of Community Ownership Funding, in which groups can bid for a share of £150m to rescue cultural buildings in their area which could otherwise be lost forever.

Spread opportunity

Furthermore, the eligibility criteria for this round has been expanded, for example by removing the requirement assets had had a use within the last 5 years, to ensure more community groups are eligible to apply for funding before this rounds closing date on Friday 19 August.

Minister for Levelling Up, the Union and Constitution Neil O’Brien MP said: “We want to help communities across the UK save the pubs, sports clubs and historical buildings which matter most to them, and would otherwise be at risk of being lost forever.

“This is part of our plan to spread opportunity, boost local pride and level up every corner of the UK while growing the economy to address the cost of living.”