11-May-2006 Morning Advertiser - PITH Expansion Dilemma
Pub is Hub expansion dilemma
Budget restrictions could slow down the future expansion of Pub is the Hub, its co-ordinator John Longden has warned.
Proposals to set up new steering groups in Wales, the West Country and south-east England may only go ahead if new funding materialises.
Longden revealed that the group would need up to £90,000 extra to put all its development plans into operation.
"We would have to tread the water very carefully before deciding whether to move into these new areas," Longden said. "We do not want to expand too quickly and then find we have to cut back on the services we currently give to other areas," he added.
Pub is the Hub operates groups across northern England and the East Midlands.
Longden said: "We have sufficient funding to fulfil our commitment to these areas for the next two years so there is no problem as it stands.
"But expansion elsewhere inevitably means additional costs and the more activities we get involved in the more it drives the overall costs upwards" he explained.
Pub is the Hub is funded by a variety of brewing firms and pubcos alongside groups such as Camra (Campaign For Real Ale) and the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping).
PITH Expansion Dilemma MA 20060511.pdf