Prince's rural scheme hits a hitch

The Prince of Wales' new scheme to help licensees in rural areas has not been welcomed by everybody.

A licensee in the parish of St Giles on the Heath in Devon could be forced to shut down his pub because the opening of a new pub in his area has stolen nearly 30 per cent of trade.

Robert Demott runs the Arscott Arms in Chapwell - just a mile and a half away from the Pint & Post.

The Pint & Post started out as a small post office but last year Nadine and Edward Titcomb developed it by adding a pub and a small shop.

Although Mr Demott is not bitter or angry with the Titcombs, he is upset that his trade has suffered. "This pub has been here for 400 years," Mr Demott said.

"Before the Pint & Post came along we were the only pub in the area. Now it is easier for many of the villagers to use the other pub."

Mr Demott has spoken to the Countryside Agency about diversifying, but he said the only advice he was given was to install a disabled toilet, which he said would not increase business.

A spokesman for the Countryside Agency said the scheme was intended to encourage licensees to diversify and the fact that the Arscott Arms had suffered was "a sad aspect of business life".

Meanwhile, residents of Corby Glen, a village in Lincolnshire, will not have to travel seven miles to the nearest post office after the licensees of the nearest pub stepped in. Elaine and Paul Dalloe, who run the Fighting Cocks pub, have agreed to take over from Cilla Musson who is retiring after 17 years at the village post office.