30-Mar-2011
Morning Advertiser - 'Lottery funding can help pubs diversify'
Licensees of rural pubs have been urged to look at the opportunities to improve their businesses via lottery funding.
The call was made by Ed Hickman, a regional development officer with the Big Lottery Fund, at the launch of the Pub is the Hub’s Local Community Services Champions initiative in Essex yesterday.
Hickman said that although the Big Lottery couldn’t fund pubs directly, it can fund equipment and the hire of venues used for social and community enterprises, such as keep-fit clubs and play groups.
To qualify for funding, a project must satisfy at least one of four objectives:
• Projects that make a change to people most in need
• Projects that give people a better chance in life such as better access to training
• Create a stronger community
• Improve the environment with healthier and more active people.
Funding is available on two scales — small grants of between £300 and £10,000 and larger projects grants of £10,000 to £500,000.
The larger grant can be used towards the capital cost of a new building as well as paying for salaries, rent and training.
Hickman said there was no need for applicants to match the money granted by Big Lottery.
He told licensees: “If you ask for the right things, you are almost 100% certain of getting funding.”
The Big Lottery Fund confirmed there is a high likelihood that projects falling within the criteria will be funded. However, it stressed that it cannot guarantee that every application will receive funding.
Pub is the Hub chief executive John Longden said his organisation would provide assistance and advice to help licensees make an application for funding.
More details of lottery funding can be found on www.awardsforall.org.uk and www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.
In the News
23-Mar-2012
Pub is The Hub Announces £1.3m Local Services Initiative for Welsh Pubs
Alun Davies, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes announced yesterday a £1.3m package of support for local services in rural pubs in Wales through a joint co-operation initiative between Pub is The Hub and Cadwyn Clwyd (the Regional Development Agency for Denbighshire and Flintshire).
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06-Mar-2012
Off to a great start in Lincolnshire
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25-Jan-2012
Free computer skills training in pubs
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