Mithian’s longest resident, Betty Miners officially opened the new village shop – situated inside the village pub – with the help of Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund.
Anouska House is the licensee of the 16th Century Miner’s Arms for the last eight years in the hamlet of Mithian near St Agnes in Cornwall. Three years ago Mithian lost its post office many years after losing its village shop.
Realising that the community would benefit hugely from a local shop, especially the older residents of which cannot always travel out of the village very easily for their essential shopping, Anouska approached Pub is The Hub for help and advice. After speaking to Reg Clarke the advisor for Cornwall, she discovered that she could apply for a grant from the organisation’s Community Services Fund to convert the pub’s storeroom into a self-contained shop.
Anouska has used a £2,500 grant from Pub is The Hub and some of her own money to pay for the refurbishment and some of the shop’s fixtures and fittings.
Serving freshly baked bread from her partner Andy Andreou, dairy produce from Rodders, eggs, honey, jams, cider, vegetables and much more from local producers, The Miner’s Arms Community Shop is open between 10am – 11pm all week and will also be serving tea, coffee and cakes before midday. The shop is also displaying handmade crafts and art from a number of local artists; from jewellery to cards and mirrors.
Anouska said: “We are a traditional village pub serving home cooked food and rely on people travelling to us for our business. At the same time we are a vital hub for our community and by opening for a few additional hours each day in a largely underutilised space we can serve our local community with a new essential service providing additional employment and an outlet for locally-made goods. Betty Miners’ daughter makes our jam and a local farmer supplies the eggs for example.
“This venture would not have been possible without the support, encouragement and financial help from Pub is The Hub and their Community Services Fund.”
Reg Clarke, regional advisor for Pub is The Hub added: “Anouska has done a tremendous job at the Miner’s Arms and in common with many other fantastic licensees has placed herself at the heart of their community. We were delighted to give her a modest grant to open the shop and will continue to offer her support and advice where we can.”
The photograph shows Betty Miners cutting the ribbon to open the new shop with Reg Clarke from Pub is The Hub, Anouska House, licensee and her partner Andy Andreou.