26-Jan-2006 Morning Advertiser - Rural Pubs set for grant aid
Cash grants could be on the way to help hosts save rural pubs from closure and maintain community services.
Two regional development agencies in northern England have agreed the principle of financial aid to fund deserving projects.
Pub Is The Hub - the movement dedicated to revitalising remote village pubs and services - was due to meet the two agencies this week for talks.
The development marks a major breakthrough for the rural pubs campaign and offers the prospect of meaningful funding for the first time.
Pub Is The Hub co-ordinator John Longden said the movement was talking to the two agencies to investigate ideas to make financial help available.
"The two bodies are committed to the idea of providing finance to fund schemes which would help save pubs from closure or provide community services.
"Capital could be provided by the agencies to help stop pubs closing or provide funding for schemes which would help them become viable," Longden said.
Inquiries to Pub Is The Hub are still flooding in, with up to 600 downloads from its website each month.
PITH Rural pubs set for grant aid MA 20050526.pdf