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
19-Jul-2010
Morning Advertiser - Pub is the Hub to aid 50 Welsh pubs
Pub is the Hub hopes to regenerate 50 rural Welsh pubs, thanks to support from the Prince of Wales, which will allow them to open an office there.
Read More
17-Jul-2010
The Westmorland Gazette - New countryside fund launched
A NEW fund for farmers and people living and working in the countryside will be launched on Thursday (July 22).
Read More
16-Jul-2010
Telepgraph - Prince of Wales will help regenerate 50 villages using pubs as community 'hubs'
The Prince of Wales will announce plans to regenerate 50 remote villages by using local pubs as community centres when he reveals the first beneficiaries of his new Countryside Fund charity next week.
Read More