Midlands
Pub is the Hub Adviser - Hugh Wilson
Pub is the Hub has been working in the Midlands for over 3 years and grant programmes are available to support the development of pub-based community facilities in the following areas:
Leicestershire
In Leicestershire, the Vital Villages Programme is offering grants between £750 and £5,000 to pubs, and applicants must contribute a minimum of 50% of total eligible project costs. The programme aims to support rural pubs that want to enhance their business by providing a village shop facility to benefit the community. Financial support and free retail advice is available for rural pubs, especially where they provide the only service in the village. A priority is to assist pubs in areas affected by the closure of post offices and shops, and the scheme encourages pubs to open shop facilities that sell fresh local produce and other goods. For an application pack or further information please contact Fiona Walker on 0116 305 5673 or email: ruralgrants@leics.gov.uk
Derbyshire
The Peak District Rural Action Zone has been awarded RDPE funding to improve the quality of life in the Peak district. Phase one has a particular focus on grant assistance to projects from very small businesses and social enterprises. Grants from £3,500 will be available and will focus on supporting new micro-enterprise activity and helping existing micro-enterprises (less than 10 employees and £2m turnover) including pubs, to develop new projects involving the development and/or promotion of local products and services. Longer term activity will include improving access to rural services such as pilot programmes to support rural retailers and other key services for rural communities. For further information contact Amanda Brown on 01629 816268 or email: amanda.brown@ddep.co.uk
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council have recently launched the Rural Gain Grant, which has been set up to support rural services in Lincolnshire’s small rural towns and village communities. Funding is available to provide support to pub projects that improve the performance and services offered by essential village retail outlets which could include the introduction of new services.The maximum grant available under this scheme is £10,000 with a minimum grant of £250. The grant will not exceed 50% of the total project costs and the upper and lower amounts are at the discretion of the grant panel. Funds are available to support a wide range of business improvements and projects, both privately and community led. For further information, please contact Alison Marshall on 01522 553153 or email: alison.marshall@lincolnshire.gov.uk
The Lindsey Action Zone and Coastal Action Zone have both been awarded European funding to help improve the rural areas, and funding will be used to create and develop micro-businesses, stimulate new business development, and encourage tourism activities. For further information on the Lindsey Action Zone contact Judy Bell on 01507 354561 or email judy.bell@lincolnshire.gov.uk and for further information on the Coastal Action Zone contact Jo Finlow on 01754 610557 or email jo.finlow@lincolnshire.gov.uk