Sheps nets a new

era for rural pubs

by Ewan Turney

Kent brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame has reinforced its position at the heart of the rural community by rolling out wireless broadband access to its entire managed estate.

The decision to install broadband in its 70 managed pubs before Christmas comes after initial trials at three pubs proved a success.

Shepherd Neame and wireless broadband provider Telabria even scooped the Kent Technology Award for bringing internet access to rural communities.

Sheps has also launched a mobile post office scheme at some of its hostelries.

'The most successful case was at the Chequers pub in Doddington, Kent, where because it was so rural nobody had broadband,' said tied trade manager Nigel Bunting.

'We paid to have it put in and now everyone in the area can get it. We have even supplied a school.

'It also helps us to commu-nicate with the pub more effectively.'

The mobile post office scheme started a year ago and has proved 'very popular' at the four pubs involved, including the Chequers and the Carpenters Arms at Eastling.

A mobile service operates once a week from the pubs, where people can draw their pensions and post mail.

Shepherd Neame has strong links with the Post Office through its chairman-designate Miles Templeman who sits on the Royal Mail Board.

'We are keen to help where we can,' said Bunting. 'It benefits communities who have lost post offices and it further strengthens our place at the heart of the community. There is no real cost involved and it has the potential to bring in people who might not otherwise come to the pub.'