Community pubs support programme

The ‘More than a Pub’ programme offers:

Expert support in areas such as Business Planning, Community Shares, Legal Structures, Social Impact and Finance
Opportunities to attend events, workshops, peer-to-peer study visits
Bursary Grants of up to £2500 for feasibility costs
A combined Loan and Grant Package of up to £100,000 towards capital costs.

More than a pub aims to increase the number of community-owned pubs open and trading and also to grow the range of services they offer to help the wider community. Services provided by community pubs could include a shop, post office, library, internet café, cash point, police surgeries, lunch clubs for the elderly, prescription services and informal meeting spaces for a range of community activities such as sports teams, choirs, live music and walking groups.

This £3.85 million England wide programme is jointly funded by Power to Change and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The programme is being led by Plunkett Foundation and delivered in collaboration with leading organisations within the sector.

Read our guidance notes for More than a Pub.

To check your eligibility and find out more please call the programme helpline on 01993 810730 or visit www.plunkett.co.uk/more-than-a-pub

This £3.62 million England wide programme is jointly funded by Power to Change and DCLG. The programme aims to increase the number of community owned pubs which can clearly demonstrate that they’re bringing significant benefits to their local communities over and above what a normal pub would provide. The programme is being led by Plunkett Foundation and delivered in collaboration with leading organisations within the sector.

To check your eligibility and find out more please call the programme advice line on 01993 810730 or visit www.plunkett.co.uk/more-than-a-pub

What is a community pub?

A community pub is owned and managed by the community. Decisions are made by the community and profits are reinvested into the business. As well as bringing people together by organising traditional pub events such as darts and quiz nights, it offers services that the community need. These could include a post office, an essentials shop, a library, a CV clinic, walking groups, lunch groups for elderly people or health checks. It’s much more than a pub.

Case study: The Bevendean

The first community owned pub on an estate

Opened in December 2014, ‘The Bevy’ is the first community-owned estate pub in the UK. Funded by over 700 shareholders and re-built and decorated by an army of volunteers, The Bevy serves more than pints and hot dinners. Find out more about how the community turned a rough pub with a bad reputation into a community hub or watch the documentary below.

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opening of the post office at the Anglers Rest pub

Case Study: The Angler’s Rest

Saving and reviving the beating heart of the village

When the post office and pub closed down, the community in rural Bamford decided enough was enough. They ran a community share offer and bought the pub. Since then they’ve included a post office, shop and lots of services for the local community. Find out more about how the community pub put the heart back in the village.

Case study: The Gardeners Rest

A unique and much-loved base for a diverse community of individuals and groups

In July 2016 the owners decided to retire after 18 years of service. With advice from the More than a pub programme, a steering group of interested parties was formed with the intention of taking the Gardeners Rest into community ownership. The group ran a Community Share Offer which resulted in 382 shareholders buying shares worth £237,600 between them. Then the group received a loan-grant package of £100,000 from ‘More than a Pub’ which enabled them to purchase the pub. Read their whole story.

Case Study: The New Inn, Norton Lindsey

A community hub in rural Warwickshire

228 local residents clubbed together to purchase the New Inn in 2016 with the help of a loan and grant package from Power to Change. Find out more about how The New Inn has become a pub and restaurant with a café and a shop, providing a range of community services.

The Duke of Malborough

The Duke of Marlborough is a 500 year-old inn and a Grade II listed historic building located in the attractive Suffolk village of Somersham, Ipswich. In 2014 the pub was threatened with the prospect of being delicensed as the previous owners wanted to sell and retire. The community came together, campaigned and raised funds and two years later, bought the pub. Find out more.

More than a Pub

What is a community pub?

Case study: The Bevendean

Case Study: The Angler’s Rest

Case study: The Gardeners Rest

Case Study: The New Inn, Norton Lindsey

The Duke of Malborough

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