Prince Charles heir to the throne, Pub is the Hub patron (26), John Longden director,
Pub is the Hub (26)
Why they are on the list:
Prince Charles and John Longden have once again championed the cause of Pub is the Hub, the rural regeneration group that coordinates funding to help rural pubs diversify their business and provide essential services for their local communities.
What the past year has held:
The year saw Pub is the Hub complete its 350th project. Schemes normally involve post offices or village shops sited in pub premises, but can also involve licensees supplying school meals, housing IT centres and providing other diverse local services fast disappearing from the rural landscape.
Prince Charles is no mere figurehead of the movement — he visits new pub schemes whenever the opportunity arises. He is passionate about preserving the UK rural infrastructure.
Challenges ahead:
Funding remains the biggest single challenge confronting Pub is the Hub. Although most regions of the UK now boast a local Hub committee, money to finance projects is always badly needed.
Longden consistently lobbies funding bodies such as local councils and development agencies to provide grant assistance. Longden is hopeful the Welsh Assembly will soon commit itself to Pub is the Hub.
