Pub is The Hub, Chief Executive, John Longden

Comment: Publicans and pubs are the ‘real heroes’

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Pub is The Hub and our Join Inn Last Orders for Loneliness activities continue to see that inspired publicans and their pubs are the real heroes today, alongside many other small local businesses and producers. They are the vital parts that help bind so many residents together particularly in rural, remote or deprived locations.

Our Community Services Fund has helped to directly support 39 different types of local services and activities through 275 projects. And our expert advisors have given free advice on these services and activities to over 1,000 pubs. With expert advice and simple funding publicans can help to create local social value.

Social value is measured using the Treasury’s Green Book recommendations and our independent research indicated that for every £1 invested in a diversification scheme approximately £8 to £9 of local social value can be created. This is a huge hidden benefit and return on the role provided by a good publican.

As well as help in Wales from The Royal Countryside Fund, thanks are also due to our many supporters both old and new, (and you know who you are!) including our founder King Charles III and the National Lottery Community Fund who have assisted the work of our expert advisors over many years. To have had this long-term funding and other donations gives us the ability and confidence to commit to pub services and activities.

We believe if only we can continue to get the message across about the valuable social impact there remains a potential to fund over 1,000 small diversification schemes. Thank you, and the publicans involved, for your continued interest and welcome support.

Perhaps you can continue your help either financially or vocally in these very challenging times.

Cheers

John Longden, OBE, Chief Executive, Pub is The Hub