Rural Pub Services Grant Scheme

Financial assistance and advice for community projects in rural pubs.

Background
Rural pubs are often at the heart of their community and Pub is the Hub (PITH) is actively helping to ensure that they remain that way.

PITH is affiliated to the Rural Action Programme of Business in the Community and was initiated by its president, HRH the Prince of Wales, to encourage brewers, pub groups, suppliers, local publicans,and their communities to help improve vital rural services.

Rural pubs in the East Midlands now have grant support available to enable them to assume a wider business and community role in the future as one-stop shops for essential rural services helping to revitalise rural economies and communities.

What is the Scheme?
The Rural Pub Services Grant Scheme is aimed at supporting rural pubs develop a range os services in addition to their general pub business.

Services might include:

• village shop or convenience goods store
• post office
• local fresh farm produce
• library
• pharmaceutical or health services
• meeting or events venue
• youth and education facilities
• IT centre or Internet facility

Grants of up to £10,000 are available. It will cover upto 75% of eligible costs grant aid will cover eligible capital costs for conversion/refurbishment and professional fees.

The scheme runs until 31st March 2007 and grants are available in the rural areas of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.

To find out more go to www.pubisthehub.org.uk or contact Sarah Burns on 01423 568987 or email sarahburns@pubisthehub.org.uk