Blacksmiths Arms Shop, Skendleby, Lincolnshire
APPLICANT AND BACKGROUND
Tony and Janet Jones, with over 20 years in the licensing trade, moved to the Blacksmiths Arms in October 2006 and have transformed the pub into a bright, clean and vibrant local. This project has been developed to meet the need for a village shop as shown by strong community support. There is no shop or other services in the village, the nearest shops are in Spilsby, which requires a 7 mile round trip. Skendleby has no school, Post Office or shop, and very nearly lost the pub until the experienced and enterprising applicant took it over and has made it a success.
The efforts of the applicant have been recognised as “tireless” in a letter from the Parish Clerk. The local bus service is very limited and there are pensioners in the village suffering difficulties in travelling to purchase basic necessities. In a letter of support, the Parish Council recognised the social value of the pub as a meeting place, and pledged their wholehearted support behind the project. The letter also had the support of the pub owner, and most importantly, 67 signatures from local people who wanted to see the shop in the pub.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The shop was created in an unused area of the pub, and uses local suppliers to offer a range of basic essential groceries, fruit and vegetables, dairy products and newspapers. The work involved in creating the new shop included installing a new UPVC external door and external cladding, carrying out electrical work, supply and fitting a shop counter, shelving and shop equipment, together with new signage.
OUTCOMES
This project will increase the vitality and viability of the pub as a ‘hub‘ of the village and improve the life of rural communities in the area by facilitating access to services locally. The pub has developed a very good reputation for food and uses local produce, which is also stocked in the shop. The project has created a local employment opportunity, with one part-time job has been created.
LESSONS TO LEARN
- Strong support from the pub owner, the Parish Council and local residents gave the licensees the confidence to develop this valuable service.
- Good use made of a redundant space in the existing building.
- The shop area is relatively small but meets the requirements of local people.
- The relatively low cost of the project demonstrates that pub-based shops can be developed cost-effectively.
- A dedicated and experienced licensee ensured the building work went smoothly and was completed on time.
PROJECT CAPITAL COSTS
- Total project capital costs £4,376.20
- Applicant contribution £1,094.05
- East Midlands Development Agency grant contribution £3,282.15
LICENSEE CONTACT: Mr Tony Jones. Tel. 01754 890662
OWNER: Tom Woods
PUB IS THE HUB CONTACT: Mr Hugh Wilson. Tel. 01423 568987
Blacksmiths Arms shop case study.pdf