TThe White Hart Inn, Blythburgh, Southwold, Suffolk.

Providing villagers with the vital services they need

Michael and Julie Davis moved to Blythburgh in 1999. They had managed several pubs previously for the Wolverhampton and Dudley Brewery, moving around and establishing new bars and restaurants. They were aware of the White Hart Inn before moving to the area and became interested in managing the pub after attending an Adnams' open day. They have brought a new approach to the business and introduced a shop and post office in the grounds of the pub, making use of a derelict building.

The village

Blythburgh is a small, attractive village at the head of the River Blyth estuary, four miles west of Southwold on the Suffolk coast. The Blyth valley is popular with both walkers and birdwatchers and many call in and use the pub. The village has a population of around 340 people, but it also lies on the A12, the main route between Lowestoft and Ipswich, and businesses have the potential to capture passing trade.

The enterprise

A short time after the Davises took over the management of the White Hart Inn, the village post office and shop closed. They decided to convert an old coal barn in the grounds of the pub to house a new shop and post office. The venture has been very successful because of both its location, which attracts a high level of passing trade, and the commitment and high quality service that the Davises provide. The shop is a regular stop-off for commuters who leave their shopping orders on their way to work and collect their groceries on the way home. The shop is popular because of the range of services it provides: people can leave and collect prescriptions; rent videos and DVDs; and drop off and collect dry cleaning. The Davises also use local producers to supply fresh provisions.

The business also provides employment for up to thirteen local people. This could increase to 16 jobs with the further planned expansion of the pub.

Benefits to the pub

Michael and Julie have transformed the business that made less than £2,000 per month when they first took over. Two and a half years later turnover has increased to more than £8,000 per month because of increased patronage of the pub and the contribution from the shop and post office.

Funding

The Davises drive and enthusiasm has helped them to engage the help of a number of organisations in the development of the shop and post office. They were successful in securing a Redundant Building Grant from the East of England Development Agency for 25% of the structural works. Adnams, as owners of the pub, paid for works to the roof and the planning and architect's fees. They also received £4,000 from the Countryside Agency's Village Shop Development Scheme (now incorporated within the Community Services Grant), money towards the counters from Post Office Limited and the Parish Council also gave a small grant. Adnams has been so impressed by the success that the Davises have made of the White Hart Inn that they are making a significant investment in the further expansion of the pub.

The shop and post office are well supported by the village and are particularly valuable to the elderly.

Benefits to the local community

The pub has become the heart of community life in the village and it is a place where people congregate. The shop and post office are well supported by the village and are particularly valuable to the elderly. Julie, who runs the shop, appreciates this local support which makes all her efforts worthwhile. In addition to providing a valued service to the village, the Davises are also supporting other local businesses through local sourcing of food for both the shop and restaurant and by using local builders and suppliers for the conversion works. The business also provides employment for up to thirteen local people. This could increase to 16 jobs with the further planned expansion of the pub.

Local people think that the shop has made a real difference to the village and use the pub more to support the project. One customer said that it had become a natural focus for the village and a good place to catch up on village news. Another customer was now using the shop in preference to larger shops because it was more convenient and saved on petrol. He believed that he would use the pub more now that it had the shop in the grounds.

Key pointers to success

At Blythburgh, the Davises have capitalised on their location on a busy through route to capture passing trade. They have built on this by offering customers what they want, thereby ensuring that passers by as well as locals have become regular customers.

• When the old post office and shop closed, the Davises took the opportunity to keep the services running and add to their business enterprise.

 

• Full advantage has been taken of available grants, including the Redundant Building Grant, the former Village Shop Development Scheme, investment by Post Office Limited and money from the Parish Council.

 

• The Davises have used their previous experience of establishing new bars and restaurants, to seek out opportunities to develop the business.

 

• The entrepreneurial skills and business acumen of the couple has been recognised by Adnams, the brewer, who are making a substantial investment in future improvements to the pub.

 

• The friendly and efficient service provided in the shop and the post office means that more local people now visit the pub as well.

 

• The Davises have become heavily involved in village life and Mr Davis has recently become a Parish Councillor. They support local organisations by advertising community events and the pub has become the venue for the village fete. They are hoping to develop these community links further and build up the pub business by providing refreshments for events held in the village hall.