18-Jan-2007 Morning Advertiser - Pubs at the hub of post office rescue
Pub Is The Hub is at the centre of talks designed to save post office services in scores of small rural towns and villages in the UK.
The Post Office has turned to the rural pub regeneration movement in a major salvage operation as it prepares to begin a sweeping closure programme across the country. Pubs have been earmarked as one of the obvious venues to take on operations as about 2,500 rural and suburban sub post offices are axed over the next few years.
Pub Is The Hub has begun matching outlets on its database to areas where closures are likely to take effect.
Co-ordinator John Longden said: "We have been talking to the Post Office for some time as part of the consultation process which began when closures were announced.
"Pubs are being seen as one of the main venues where post office services can be transferred in the future."
Pub Is The Hub has already successfully set up post office services in 100 pubs over the past four years.
"I am hoping we can play a leading role in providing sites which can be utilised. It is clear the Post Office is looking to us for help," he added.
Longden said the average cost of setting up a pub service was between £10,000 and £15,000. The Post Office is committed to paying half the cost, with the balance being found through Development Agency grants, government agency funding and other sources. Pub companies such as Enterprise, Punch, Scottish & Newcastle and several regional brewers had already backed individual schemes.
"We need a special pot of money so we can move when each scheme surfaces. We are working on these possibilities," Longden revealed.
Agencies such as the Commission For Rural Communities, Age Concern and the Local Government Association are also taking part in the consultation talks.
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