An article in the Guardian discusses how the rise of community pubs is slowing a long-term decline – and offering additional services like post offices and basic banking

Pubs have been in decline for years, but the pandemic wreaked further havoc and, according to the British Beer and Pub Association, 2,000 permanently closed during the first year of lockdown.

Many were in rural locations, leaving small communities without a space to meet, prompting greater isolation.

The rise of community pubs, however, has helped to buck this trend. There are now more than 70 active community ownership campaigns currently under way on top of 179 existing pubs owned or run by their communities, according to The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Their community focus also means that they typically offer additional services, from full-scale post offices that maintain access to essential postal and basic banking services, to shops, cafes and meals on wheels – all supporting local suppliers and employment.

CAMRA's chairman, Nik Antona says:

“The last few years of restrictions and closures have made us all realise just how vital our local pubs are to communities up and down the country – and how important they are to bringing people together as we recover from the pandemic.” 

“We are seeing a resurgence in pub-saving campaigns, with people coming together to save their locals from closure or demolition – or banding together to bring pubs into community ownership to safeguard them as assets for local people. There are now many more community-owned pubs than ever before.”

Full article:

The Guardian - A hub for the village: how locals are buying up pubs at risk of closure