Pub is The Hub, the not-for-profit organisation that helps pubs to diversify and provide essential local services, is continuing to support publicans and their local communities.

Despite the challenges faced by the industry over the latest difficult few months publicans have continued to support people living in their local areas with village stores and community cafes. These were each opened with the expert help and a Community Services Fund grant from Pub is The Hub.

Pictured from left to right:
- Publican Sharon Hincks is encouraging local customers and groups to get together in the community cafe? at the Bosville Arms in Rudston
- Publican Rachel Sarbutts in the new village store at The Rettendon Bell in Rettendon, Essex
- Publicans Rebecca and Joseph Richards outside The Royal Oak in Beckermet celebrating the opening of the new village store

Publicans Rebecca and Joseph Richards came to the rescue of local residents by opening a new village store in a former pool room at The Royal Oak Hotel in Beckermet, Cumbria.

The store was needed in the village as there were no other shops and it is around four miles to the nearest supermarket and limited transport links.

The shop, which opens between 9am to 8pm every day, offers essentials such as bread, milk and local produce as well as takeaway foods such as pizzas and fish and chips.  

Rebecca said: “It has been such a challenging time for local people and the village store is proving to be such a lifeline.”

Another village store was opened by publicans Rachel and Kevin Sarbutts at The Rettendon Bell in Rettendon, Essex.

The store, which offers a range of essentials and fresh produce, bread and meat, was needed in the village as it is a five-mile round trip to the nearest supermarket. The shop also supports other local suppliers with the fresh produce supplied by B. Curtis Greengrocers in Billericay and the meat from S R Cooper Butchers in Basildon.

Rachel said: “It has been such a challenging time for local people and the village store will be such a lifeline. Getting this up and running has been such a team effort with both staff and local tradesmen helping us.”

While a community café at the Bosville Arms in Rudston, near Bridlington, has provided a place for local people to get together.

It offers Italian artisan coffee, hot chocolates, a range of teas, including Yorkshire Tea, as well as cakes made by local business Ginger Bakers.

The Bosville Arms was the only community facility left in Rudston, apart from the village hall, as the village had already lost its shop, petrol station and post office.

Publican Sharon Hincks said: “The community café is an important part of the pub in offering somewhere for locals and groups to connect and come together.”

Meanwhile, Pub is The Hub is also championing its team by highlighting their work in an article called Meet the Team. This month Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund administrator Nicky Harris is sharing insights on the work and achievements of the Community Services Fund, including tips to publicans looking to diversify their pub’s services.

To find out more about the Pub is the Hub Team click here.