As national attention focuses on the social value of Britain’s pubs and hospitality businesses, we are calling for greater support for the rural communities fighting to save the businesses that sit at the heart of village life.
Recent analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) suggests a further 2,300 pubs could be at risk unless business rates are reformed.
At the same time, there is growing recognition of the wider social value pubs bring through reducing loneliness, strengthening social connections and supporting community wellbeing. New research from the British Beer & Pub Association shows UK pubs contribute £30 billion each year in wellbeing.
Yet despite this, rural hospitality businesses continue to face unprecedented pressure from rising costs and an increasingly challenging trading environment.
The Maybush Inn, Great Oakley (Essex)
What would it mean if your community lost its local?
For many villages, the local pub, café or hospitality venue is far more than a business. It is often one of the last remaining places where people can meet, volunteer, celebrate, organise local events and support one another. When these businesses close, communities lose far more than a local service – they lose an important part of their identity and social fabric.
Through our Save Rural Hospitality campaign, Plunkett UK is raising funds to help communities save pubs and other hospitality businesses through community ownership, while supporting existing community-owned businesses to remain resilient for the future.
Plunkett UK is aiming to raise £35,000 to provide specialist support to 14 pubs and hospitality businesses at risk of permanent closure.
James Alcock, Chief Executive of Plunkett UK, said: “Too often, rural communities are overlooked. As local services disappear and costs continue to rise, they’re being asked to fight to hold on to the places that matter most – and they should not have to do it alone.
“The inspiring thing is that communities aren’t standing back and waiting for someone else to solve these challenges. They’re stepping forward, coming together and taking control of their future. Time and again, we’ve seen community ownership prove that local people can achieve extraordinary things when they’re given the right support.
“At Plunkett UK, we’re proud to stand alongside those communities, providing the practical support they need to turn determination into action. If we want to keep the last light on in rural communities, we need to back the people who are already doing everything they can to make it happen.”
One community that has already benefited from Plunkett UK’s support is the Prince of Wales in Newtown St Martin, Cornwall, which was saved through community ownership.
Viki Carpenter from the Prince of Wales said: “Three years ago, we saved our local pub. The team at Plunkett UK supported our group from the very start, and it would not have been possible without them. We cannot thank them enough.”
Plunkett UK is encouraging supporters to donate the average cost of a pint – £5.34 – to help communities keep the last light on and protect the rural hospitality businesses that bring people together.
Help us to keep the last light on
Plunkett is raising funds through our Save Rural Hospitality Campaign, to help us support more rural communities to start and sustain community-owned hospitality businesses.
Please donate to our Crowdfunder or share it with others. Your support helps ensure that we can provide expert advice, practical support and the long-term guidance communities need to save, set up and sustain community-owned businesses.
