Community Services Fund: Pub is the Hub

Rural and community pubs looking to diversify their offer and deliver greater social value may be able to access support through the Community Services Fund from Pub is The Hub. The programme is designed to help pubs develop services and activities that meet local needs while creating stronger, more sustainable community hubs.

Pub is The Hub is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2001 to help pubs provide additional services that benefit local residents. Through a combination of specialist advice, community engagement support and grant funding, the organisation has already helped hundreds of pubs across the UK expand their role within their communities.

The Community Services Fund supports projects that improve access to local services, tackle isolation and loneliness, and create opportunities for communities to come together. Funding may be available for a wide range of diversification projects, including community cafés, meeting spaces, village stores, wellbeing initiatives, social activities and other facilities that support local residents. In addition to grant support, successful applicants can access expert advice from experienced regional advisors and benefit from promotional and media support.

The programme encourages publicans to work closely with local residents, parish councils and other stakeholders to identify services that would be most valued in their area. Projects should demonstrate clear community demand and show how they will contribute to improving local wellbeing, connectivity and resilience.

For pubs seeking new income streams while making a positive difference in their communities, the Community Services Fund offers an opportunity to secure both financial and practical support. Organisations interested in exploring a project can submit an expression of interest and begin discussions with the Pub is The Hub team to assess potential opportunities for funding and development support.

Alongside funding, Pub is The Hub continues to champion community-led initiatives that help pubs become focal points for social connection, local services and economic resilience, supporting the long-term sustainability of both pubs and the communities they serve.

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