Wealden District Council and Pub is the Hub (PITH) are working together to encourage and support pubs who want to expand into new services for their communities.
Pub is the Hub is an organisation of voluntary advisors for licensees of rural pubs who are thinking of broadening their range of services. They encourage licensees, communities, pub owners, breweries, local authorities and the private sector to work together to match community needs with additional services which can be provided by the local pub. Pubs are a large part of the community with them being the main hub in their local village or small town. With many locals enjoying their local pub each week, they are already providing that daily community support.
Funding and support: If you are part of PITH you may be entitled to some funding to diversify your pub. PITH is not about saving uneconomic pubs, but is there as the lender of last resort to assist pubs to develop their business further to ensure viability.
What we have helped with: We have worked with various pubs across the District to help them diversify, here is what we have helped with:
• Small library
• Computer course’s
• Rural touring theatre – Inn Crowd and Applause
• Dementia friend sessions – wellbeingteam@wealden.gov.uk
• Men Sheds
• A café
• Community Shops
More ideas depending on your pub and community needs:
• Lunch club
• Meals on wheels
• Community café
• Internet café
• Take away food
• Delicatessen
• Farm shop
• Gift shop
• Butchers / fishmongers
• Cinema
• Games or quiz afternoons
• Reminiscence
• Exercise classes
• Art and craft
• Chair based exercise
• Training courses
• Information sessions
• Advice surgeries
• Play areas
• Meeting room hire
• WiFi access
• Computer access
• Post office
• ATM and PayPoint
• Community centre
• Cashback and mobile top up
• Parcel services
• Heritage and history centre
• Tourist information
• Community bus travel
• Defibrillators
• Book club
• Youth club
• Computer club
• Support groups
• Baby and toddler groups
• Campsite
• Community allotment
• Market garden
• Community playground
• Cycling facilities
Further details and case studies from other pubs around the Country have been doing can be found on the Pub is the Hub website
If you are already doing something in your pub, aware of a pub that is doing something great in its community or would like further information please contact us by email wellbeing@wealden.gov.uk