11-Aug-2009
Bury Free Press - Cash incentive in bid to save pubs
Pub landlords are being offered incentives to develop their businesses with a cash injection aimed at fighting the recession.
Suffolk's Rural Economy Scheme is offering a lifeline to struggling owners and licensees in a bid to help save pubs in the county – there have been at least 27 closures since 2007.
The initiative was welcomed this week by Bury St Edmunds-based brewery and pub company Greene King, which currently has 22 tenancies advertised across the county.
Under the new policy, which is part of the national Pub is the Hub scheme, landlords can bid for cash to help diversify their businesses with projects such as post offices and village shops.
Pubs could receive up to half the cost of their project if they can show their area needs it – with a maximum of £5,000 – as well as the support of a specialist advisor to help them set up a new service.
Money for the scheme comes from district and borough councils as well as Suffolk County Council and the East of England Development Agency, with the county council managing the fund.
Greene King, which sold 128 of its 2,500 pubs in 2008/9, buying just 11 from rival company Punch Taverns in the same year, said it would encourage its tenants to take up the offer.
"The council have taken the Pub is the Hub scheme forward and launched what we believe is a fantastic opportunity to help pubs remain open," a spokeswoman said.
"It's a great resource for pubs to do more to become central to their communities, and we will certainly be promoting it."
Suffolk county councillor Bruce Provan, portfolio holder for economic development, said: "We know these are difficult times for pubs and rural life in general, and that is why this scheme is so important.
"Pubs have been at the heart of village life for centuries and to ensure they remain there, we are committed to supporting them through the unprecedented challenges facing them during these times."
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