Wales
Pub is the Hub Adviser - Malcolm Harrison
Pub is the Hub has been working in Wales since 2008, and grant programmes are available to support the development of pub-based community facilities in the following areas:
Denbighshire
In Denbighshire Cadwyn Clwyd have set up a Pub is the Hub Programme covering rural Denbighshire, providing capital grants up to 50% of the total eligible project costs, to a maximum of £10,000. Funding will be available for pub-based rural services projects until 2011. The scheme aims to encourage pubs and licensees to work together with their local communities and play a bigger part in helping to address community needs. This can mean opening up a post office and shop where one has closed but it can mean much more as well. Pubs that have opened shops often provide an outlet for produce from local farms – there is a lot of synergy here, which can also help to broaden the pub’s business base. This can breathe new life into a village and can been incredibly rewarding for licensees. The scheme will help to ensure that village pubs remain the hubs of their communities, and encourage innovative approaches and ideas for diversification into providing essential local services. Licensees will also benefit from the services of a specialist pub advisor who will provide support and guide them through the process from start to finish. For more information and to receive an application pack contact Helen Roberts at Cadwyn Clwyd on 01824 709555 or e-mail: helenroberts@bsbureau.com
Rural Wales
The Welsh Assembly Government runs two rural grant programmes to support the development of shops in pub premises. The Vital Rural Retailer Grant provides a capital grant of between £600 and £5000 for measures to make the business more sustainable. The re-introduction of the Services to Rural Communities Grant provides a capital grant of up to £10,000 for individuals who wish to reintroduce retail services to their community. The grants will not normally exceed 50% and the remaining % can be made up by the applicant through alternative grant sources or by private investment. Contact Pub is the Hub on 01423 546165 for further details