01-May-2008 Morning Advertiser - Pub is the Hub helps store open in record time
Pub is the Hub has carried out its quickest-ever regeneration scheme to help open a shop in a Derbyshire village pub.
The new store at the Sycamore Inn, Parwich, was launched just four weeks after host Janet Gosling appealed for help.
The rural regeneration group provided financial backing after hearing the village’s only shop was due to close and its local bus service was under threat.
The Hub was able to provide emergency cash from the East Midlands Development Agency to help the Robinsons Brewery pub launch the new enterprise.
The scheme cost £5,800, shared equally between the Development Agency and licensee Janet Gosling and partner Stephen Conway.
Pub is the Hub director John Longden said: “The village faced losing its bus service and village shop at the same time, so getting the new shop up and running was a major priority.
“Luckily there were still funds available from the Development Agency, which quickly agreed to back the venture.
“It’s the quickest scheme we have ever turned round, but the need for action was paramount for a village threatened with the loss of two vital services.”
Villagers can now purchase groceries, household goods, newspapers, wines and spirits plus other items from the shop, which opens seven days a week.
The Sycamore Inn shop is the 353rd Pub is the Hub scheme to be launched.