10:00am Tuesday 31st March 2009
By Harry Hogger
COMMUNITY-RUN pubs are being hailed as the way forward for threatened rural establishments in Dorset.
A damning report by a leading think-tank has criticised the Government for its policies that have contributed to dozens of pubs closing every week across the country.
The report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) reveals that 334 pubs have closed across the South West in the last four years and warns that unless the Government does more to protect rural hostelries, many more could follow.
In tough economic times more pubs may look to follow the successful example of villagers in Shipton Gorge, near Bridport, who took matters into their own hands when their New Inn closed in 2005.
Residents clubbed together to take over the establishment themselves and reopened it a year later.
With the villagers effectively stakeholders in the pub, it has become even more central to the community and is used for a range of activities.
Licensee Gary Pellow said: “We had already lost our school, post office, another pub and shop and this was the last public meeting place.
“When it was closed for a year we really saw the difference and people who moved into the village found it very hard to meet people.”
Mr Pellow said the community model could be the way forward for other rural pubs.
He said: “It is getting more and more difficult for a small community pub to make a profit but trading is definitely up. We have to try to get a sense of loyalty to the pub from the community so they do use it and you can be of help to them.”
John Kane is part of a group of villagers from Milborne St Andrew who are trying to club together to take over the Royal Oak, which closed last year.
He said that with many rural pubs struggling in the current economic climate, the Government could help by offering support for community pub schemes such as theirs.
He said: “They could have some sort of loans in place to encourage us and groups like us and make money available at reasonable interest rates provided we have raised capital to show we are serious.”
Mr Kane said the future of the Royal Oak was still uncertain but his group was committed to keeping the pub in the village.
He said: “At the moment we are collecting pledges as we are determined to see the pub stay open.
“There has apparently been another offer by a third party but we want to keep the pledges coming in so if it did fall through we would be in a position to make an offer.”
Mark Pollard, chef and proprietor at the Rock Hotel in Weymouth, said the Government could do more to help all pubs in the current climate.
He said: “I don’t think the Government are doing enough. A reduction in beer duty would be a start and a rates reduction would boost all small businesses.”
Mr Pollard added that he could see more pubs, particularly in rural areas, looking to the community for help.
He said: “If the community can come together to support their local pub and take it forward, I think that’s brilliant.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/trade_directory/