Funding: 

Community-Owned Pubs Support Programme

The original Community-Owned Pubs Support Programme, which was launched in March, was cancelled in August.

Following the news that the support was cancelled, a Co-operative Pubs Summit was called and was attended by a number of organisations from the Co-operative Movement to look at a way forward for the communities affected. The result was the development of a support package for the 82 communities that asked for support following the March announcement.

The information below outlines the package of support that has been developed for communities looking to save their local and establish a Co-operative Pub. 

Co-operative Enterprise Hub package

Up to four days’ of free specialist advisory time from a co-operative development specialist. This can include:

  • help with business and financial planning and help with a community share issue
  • industrial and Provident Society registration fee and subsequently membership of Co-operatives UK for the first year
  • access to financial packages that are likely to consist of a small grant of up to £5,000 that must be in conjunction with a loan

Legal and Governance support

Through membership of Co-operatives UK, Co-operative Pubs will have access to a range of legal and governance advice plus additional services.

Loan Finance

Through Co-operative and Community Finance, communities will have access to between £10,000 and £150,000 of loan finance.  Each application is subject to the approval of Co-operative and Community Finance and terms and conditions will depend on the individual circumstances of each community.  

Community Right to Buy

The government is considering new powers through the Localism Bill announced in December to give communities the Right to Buy their pub.  The Department for Communities and Local Government wants to hear from communities keen to take over and run their local community pubs that are facing a range of barriers.  Communities wishing to respond should email mike.perry@plunkett.co.uk and they will be put in contact. 

For more information go to the website   call (01993) 810730 or email info@plunkett.co.uk

Posted 11th January