The Pint and Post, St Giles on the Heath, Devon.

Lending an ear to the needs of the community

Nadine and Edward Titcomb moved to Devon from Surrey in 1999 and took over the shop and post office as both a business venture and a change in lifestyle. When one of the locals suggested that a pub would be a strong addition to the village, they took up the challenge and responded to the views of the villagers. The Pint and Post now incorporates a tea room, pub and provides home-cooked meals. Nadine and Edward are an example of a couple who have taken the needs of their community to heart and have made personal sacrifices to see the project through.

The village

St Giles on the Heath is a small village with a population of 570 people, about four miles north of Launceston and close to the Cornish border. The Pint and Post is located at the southern end of the village, just off the main Launceston to Holsworthy road. The area is popular with tourists travelling to the nearby coastal towns of Bude, Tintagel and Padstow, and there is plenty of passing trade. There are no other shops in the village and the nearest pub is two miles away.

The idea

When the Titcombs took over, the shop and post office were in poor repair and they refitted and refurbished them to increase floorspace and make them more appealing. They began stocking local produce and a wider choice of products. After completion of the refit, the turnover doubled within the first year. This helped meet the refit costs, which totalled £12,000.

Whilst out for a drink one evening with friends, one of the group suggested that what the village really needed was a pub. Nadine and Edward knew that without the support of villagers they could not consider taking the idea any further, so they decided to canvass village opinion to find out if people wanted a pub in the village. They placed a petition in the shop for a week and collected 200 signatures in favour. With the support of the village behind them, the Titcombs decided to go ahead and develop the proposals.

They decided that, in order to appeal to tourists and prevent anyone in the village feeling excluded, a tea room would be included in their plans. This involved the loss of their living room, dining room, bathroom and some of their kitchen, leaving them with just two rooms as their home.

They decided that, in order to appeal to tourists and prevent anyone in the village feeling excluded, a tea room would be included in their plans.

Seeking outside help

The next step was to apply for an on-licence to run the pub on the premises. The Titcombs employed an agent to act on their behalf and in January 2001 they were granted a provisional on-licence. This guaranteed them a full licence subject to the completion of the conversion works. Having never run a pub before, they attended a British Institute of Innkeeping course in order to familiarise themselves with the processes involved.

Hurdles to development

When they received their licence, they applied for planning permission to convert their living area. Nadine and Edward handled the planning application themselves, therefore saving agents fees. The local authority objected to the proposals, because of concerns about parking and the proximity of the pub to the main road. To alleviate these concerns, the Titcombs proposed a new car park, involving the demolition of their garages. Two local councillors who had visited the site gave their support and managed to convince other members of the planning committee to grant planning permission.

Work was completed in June 2001 at a cost of about £20,000, including the works to create the car park area. There was a competition for the villagers to name the new pub and tea room, and The Pint and Post was officially opened in June 2001 by TV personality Noel Edmonds, with the whole village present.

Funding

The previous owner had researched what grants were available and told them about the Village Shop Development Scheme grant (now incorporated within the Community Services Grant) available from the Countryside Agency. They received a grant of £5,000 from the Agency for the shop refit. Through this contact, they were made aware that there was a Public House Development Scheme (now also incorporated within the Community Services Grant). They applied and received £5,000 towards the cost of works to establish the pub.

Benefits to the pub

Nadine and Edward regard The Pint and Post as a long term financial commitment and a community benefit. The pub and tea room have provided them with a new source of income which will help to supplement the shop and post office income.

In the first 3 months the turnover being generated was as forecasted in the business plan at around £900 per week. There are additional benefits to the shop as Nadine sells groceries while the pub is open in the evenings, thus generating an extra £100-150 per week turnover for the shop. The Titcombs plan to run events for the village such as quiz nights, games evenings and special ladies nights in the pub to create extra business through the winter months.

The Pint and Post now incorporates a tea room, pub and provides home-cooked meals.

Benefits to the community

The community has been very supportive throughout the whole process and since the opening of the Pint and Post. This has been helped by the welcoming nature of the Titcombs, who make a point of being in the pub every evening to greet people and talk to their customers, many of whom are also their friends. The pub and tea room have created a new meeting place for villagers within easy reach of their homes.

The owner of the holiday cottage next door to The Pint and Post said that she was initially unsure about the new addition to the village. However, it has proved to be a success with those who rent her cottage and she makes regular use of the pub herself when she comes to stay at the house. Another lady who has lived in the village for nine years, said that she had always thought it was an ideal place for a pub and that it was very refreshing to see how the Titcombs had listened to the needs of the villagers and put time and effort into seeing the project through. She agreed that it is a much-needed facility for the village and that Nadine and Edward had had her full support.

The Titcombs have not only improved the services they offer their customers in the shop and post office, but they have also created a pub and tea room within what was their home.

Key pointers to success

• Nadine and Edward have met the challenge of becoming part of the community and have reacted positively to the needs of the village.

 

• The support of the community has been a vital part of the process and community consultation has been a key feature.

 

• The hard work and determination of the Titcombs has driven the initiative forward, particularly when difficult issues arose during the planning application stage.

 

• Nadine and Edward have compromised their own living accommodation to enable the development to go ahead, although their long term plans do include expansion to improve this situation.