The Badger Inn pub in Lelant near St Ives in Cornwall has re-opened the village shop with the support of Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund in order to restore a vital community service to the local residents.
Serving newspapers, local produce and other essential and convenience items from an adjacent outbuilding The Badger Inn village shop will be open from 7am to 7pm, 6 days a week and for a half day on Sundays. When the current lessee and pub landlord, Bertie Bodmer took over at The Badger it had already been running the morning newspaper sales following the closure of the village shop three years ago. After approaching Pub is The Hub, the not-for-profit organisation helping pubs to diversify, Bertie was able to apply for the £3,800 cost of converting the outbuilding from their recently launched Community Services Fund into a full time village shop.
In common with other Pub is The Hub projects around the country, The Badger Inn shop will sell locally made goods such as fresh bread, dairy produce, meats, fruit and vegetables as well as honey from a beekeeper across the road and its own home-made patés, potato salads, coleslaw, pasties and scones from the busy pub kitchen. Open 78 hours a week, the shop will employ another two full-time members of staff.
Bertie and his team have worked hard to improve the food, service and entertainment at the St Austell Brewery-owned pub as well providing the focus for many community events such as the Christmas lights switch on, bonfire night, selling tickets for the village hall, taking in parcels and providing the morning newspapers.
Bertie said: “Since taking on the pub nearly two years ago, I have tried to pick up where other services to Lelant have been lacking. The shop is an extension of that service as well as an outlet for local suppliers and additional employment. I would also welcome suggestions from Lelant residents about what they think I should stock and I’m sure that it will evolve over time to supply all their convenience needs.
“Meanwhile, none of this would have been possible without the support and financial help from Pub is The Hub and their Community Services Fund.”
Reg Clarke, regional advisor for Pub is The Hub added: “Bertie has done a tremendous job with The Badger Inn and has already placed himself at the heart of his community. We were delighted to grant him a modest grant to open the shop and will continue to offer him support and advice where we can.”
Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund was established with funding from the government and the drinks manufacturer Diageo PLC in April 2013 to help UK pubs to diversify into new services provision for their own communities. In launching the fund, Pub is The Hub recognised that good licensees today can work with the public, private and voluntary sector to improve the local economy.