Enterprise donates £25,000 to community service scheme

The money supports the Community Services Fund which was set up by Pub in The Hub three years ago.

The scheme is available nationally for rural pubs that are looking to expand their business.

It offers grants of up to £4000 as well as advice and support.

Popular

The scheme is so popular that it has waiting lists of 44 projects in the pipeline.

The group is mainly run by volunteers and does not have any guaranteed long-term funding.

One licensee who is involved is Mark Gilliver of the Coach and Horses in Draycott near Derby.

He said: ““We are doing the work ourselves over the next few months but wouldn’t have been able to start without Pub is The Hub’s grant and their support.”

Building

The programme is helping to build a community garden in the car park of the pub which will be looked after by local volunteer groups such as the Brownies and Scouts.

John Longden, Chief Executive for Pub is The Hub explained that the scheme is enormously grateful for the support from the pubco over the last six years.

He added: “We spend a great deal of time fund-raising to support our pub schemes and it’s wonderful to see ones like Mark’s growing, literally from the ground up!”

The organisation relies heavily on donations from hospitality and rural services sectors along with grant funding from national and local government, Prince’s Countryside Fund and Big Lottery.

Advisors are part-time and organisation exists on good-will along with support from wide variety of sources.

Support

Simon Townsend, chief executive officer for Enterprise Inns, added: “We are proud to be a founding supporter of Pub is The Hub which recognises the vitally important role that pubs play in communities across the UK.

“We’re delighted to see the funds go towards worthwhile initiatives like the community garden in Draycott and we wish them all the best with the project.

“To date we have donated £140,000 to Pub is The Hub, and we are very pleased to be continuing our support.”