Raise a Glass to Community Pubs

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Raise a glass and say #CheersToBeer this Beer Day at your local community pub!
13 Jun, 2018

On June 15, beer and ale fans across the country will raise a glass to National Beer Day, a celebration of all that is frothy, hoppy and refreshing. Whether you’re a Real Ale advocate, an IPA impresario or a lager lover, there will be something to whet your appetite at one of the UK’s fantastic community-run pubs.

Power to Change believes in pubs – but not just because we enjoy a jar or two. Community owned pubs can be a vital resource to the people they serve, whether they prefer lager or lemonade. With community spaces, art classes, lunch clubs and playgrounds, community pubs are essential hubs that are vital for their surrounding areas. And with over a fifth of UK pubs having closed in the last 10 years and 18 still closing every week, pub buildings represent a huge opportunity for community action. Our More Than a Pub programme has supported 22 community organisations to purchase and open their local boozers since 2016, and hundreds more groups have registered with us to achieve the same goal.

So if you fancy a sip of community pride, why not drop in to one of the community owned pubs supported by Power to Change this National Beer Day.

The 200-year-old Harrow Pub in Kent was rescued by its local community in 2016, who raised £187,000 in community shares to buy it. The pub runs a lunch club for older people in the village, internet drop in sessions, and has win CAMRA’s prestigious Pub Saving Award.

The New Inn offers a café, playground and a range of community activities for the villagers of Norton Lindsey in the West Midlands. The pub, which first opened in 1750, closed in 2016 but was rescued by a local group known as the Salvation Squad.

The Duke of Marlborough in Ipswich, a 500-year-old inn and Grade II listed historic building was threatened with delicensing in 2014, but was rescued by its local community. Now a thriving community centre, The Duke offers a lunch club for the elderly, a book exchange and advice on local trusted traders.

Gardeners Rest in Neepsend, Sheffield, operates as an activity centre, music venue and art exhibition space – and it serves beer, too. Rescued by the local community in 2016, funds were raised through community shares.

The Craufurd Arms Pub in North Maidenhead became the UK’s 50th community pub when it was re-opened under community ownership in 2017. The pub hosts regular coffee mornings and meetups for local groups of elderly and disabled people and their families.

You can read more about Power to Change’s More Than A Pub programme here:

Cheers!