29-May-2009
Morning Advertiser - 50 Most Influential People in the Pub Industry 2009
Now in its 8th year — The Morning Advertiser ranks the trade’s movers and shakers on the impact they’ve had on the industry in the past 12 months — and how they’re likely to affect it in the year ahead.
Prince Charles heir to the throne, Pub is the Hub patron (26), John Longden director,
Pub is the Hub (26)
Why they are on the list:
Prince Charles and John Longden have once again championed the cause of Pub is the Hub, the rural regeneration group that coordinates funding to help rural pubs diversify their business and provide essential services for their local communities.
What the past year has held:
The year saw Pub is the Hub complete its 350th project. Schemes normally involve post offices or village shops sited in pub premises, but can also involve licensees supplying school meals, housing IT centres and providing other diverse local services fast disappearing from the rural landscape.
Prince Charles is no mere figurehead of the movement — he visits new pub schemes whenever the opportunity arises. He is passionate about preserving the UK rural infrastructure.
Challenges ahead:
Funding remains the biggest single challenge confronting Pub is the Hub. Although most regions of the UK now boast a local Hub committee, money to finance projects is always badly needed.
Longden consistently lobbies funding bodies such as local councils and development agencies to provide grant assistance. Longden is hopeful the Welsh Assembly will soon commit itself to Pub is the Hub.
In the News
25-Jan-2012
Free computer skills training in pubs
Pub is The Hub has joined forces with Lancashire County Council in their Local Community Services Champions initiative to provide free computer classes to absolute beginners.
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18-Jan-2012
Pints pies and postal orders
A scheme to help rural Cornish pubs to branch out into new services was launched yesterday at The Cornish Arms in St Merryn, near Padstow.
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10-Jan-2012
Jill Stein supports Pub is The Hub in Cornwall
Jill Stein will help Pub is The Hub host the launch of a new Local Community Services Champions initiative for Cornwall in January. The scheme, which launched in 2011 aims to help pubs become local service champions.
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