On the 10 March 2016, Community Pubs Minister, Marcus Jones announced the introduction of a new £3.6 million programme (The Community Pub Business Support Programme) in order to support and finance people to take control of their local pub for the benefit of the community.
The two year programme, jointly funded by Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Power to Change (an independent charitable trust), will see a comprehensive package of business development support, advice, and loan and grant funding being delivered to community groups. This will help them establish community owned pubs that can clearly demonstrate how they will contribute significant social, economic and environmental benefits to their communities. Leading the programme will be Plunkett Foundation (helping communities take control of their challenges) and delivery will be in collaboration with leading organisations within the sector.
The programme aims to support 80 community-owned pubs to open over 2 years and will offer a flexible package of support including access to an advice line, events, workshops, peer-to-peer study visits, and business development advice. It will also offer flexible bursary awards to fund very early stage activity, such as community consultation work, and a grant and loan package.
The programme seeks to support pubs such as those which advance a charitable purpose to benefit their communities by, for example:
- providing regeneration through access to public services and facilities to those who are socially excluded
- promoting employment, education and training in areas of high social need
- encouraging volunteering, citizenship and community development as a hub for community groups
Speaking at the Campaign For Real Ale Parliamentary reception, Community Pubs Minister Marcus Jones said: “Today’s announcement is one step further in protecting pubs as we listen to local communities and provide support on issues that matter to them - this is real devolution in action.”
In essence this is a programme which will support and encourage community ownership of pubs and protect the future of the much loved traditional English pub.