Councils turn to Pub is the Hub

The escalating rate of UK pub closures has led to a surge of interest from local authorities keen to explore ways of saving rural and community inns.

Rural regeneration group Pub is the Hub says recent publicity about the plight of the pub trade has spurred councils into action.

Hub director John Longden revealed this week that seven different county authorities had opened talks about ways to stave off further pub closures. Longden said fears that 1,300 more pubs could close their doors over the next 12 months had galvanised councils into action.

"The plight of the pub industry has finally hit home. Local authorities now acknowledge the closure of a village pub puts a massive dent in a local community.

"Since the rate of pub closures hit the headlines last month, we have been approached by several local authorities. There appears to be a realisation now what a tremendous help a successful pub can mean to its community," Longden said.

"Councils do not have special powers to help pubs but they have an interest in keeping local communities going.

"We are talking with councils and letting them know how Pub is the Hub works and how individual schemes can be financed," he added.

It is understood local government minister John Healey has contacted local councils urging them to provide help to boost rural and village communities including support to help licensees diversify their businesses.

County authorities in Yorkshire, Suffolk, Worcestershire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Denbighshire and Cheshire have opened dialogues with Pub is the Hub.

The Cumbria Development Agency is also funding pub schemes, and Pub Is The Hub is soon to make a presentation to the Welsh Assembly in a bid to get funding.

Pub is the Hub has overseen 350 schemes over the past six years, which has seen post offices, shops and other services established in pubs across the country.