The More than a Pub Programme 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.
Community groups who are considering taking ownership of their local pub, either through purchase or long-term lease. All applicants for loan and grant funding will be expected to demonstrate clear and significant viable benefits to their local community for their plans, as well as some funding already raised within the community.