An innovative new partnership has been formed to help retain and improve the Essex village pub. Pub is the Hub, a ‘not for profit’ advisory body has teamed up with Essex County Council and the Rural Community Council for Essex, to help village pubs to diversify and become stronger by providing more services to their communities. Pub is the Hub was inspired by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2001 and is affiliated to His Royal Highness’s Rural Action Programme. County Councilor John Jowers, Cabinet Member for Localism at Essex County Council said: “I welcome this partnership and know that Pub is the Hub are ideally placed to support our village pubs. “The Essex Rural Commission identified the importance of maintaining as many facilities for rural communities as possible. Whilst I recognise that drinking and social habits are changing, pubs need to adapt to the circumstances if they are to remain viable in their villages. Once a pub has closed, it is very hard to get it back!” John Longden, Chief Executive of Pub is the Hub expressed his delight saying: “All over the country, local authorities are beginning to realise the devastating impact a combined loss of rural services including the village pub can have on local communities and the rural economy". We encourage and support good publicans to consider diversifying and supporting from the pub and therefore help benefit the heart and soul of the community". "I am thrilled that Essex has the foresight to go down this path and we look forward to working with the Rural Community Council and Essex County Council as a partnership to support rural services and rural pubs". Pub is the Hub will identify the pubs that have the potential to provide community services and work with the publicans to establish how they can deliver those facilities and help secure their futures. For more details visit www.essexrcc.org.uk and www.pubisthehub.org.uk.
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