More than a pub: The Community Pub Business Support Programme

Thinking of setting up a community run pub? You may be interested to read about: The Community Pub Business Support Programme. It is a two year programme established to help support community ownership of pubs in England. Its value is £3.62 million and is jointly funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and Power to Change. 

Eligibility 
The programme is seeking communities looking to consider taking responsibility for and ownership of their local pub, through purchase or long-term lease. In some cases existing community-owned or managed pub-based businesses may be considered, if they are looking to diversify for community benefit and can demonstrate a clear economic case. All applicants for loan and grant funding will be expected to evidence clear and significant viable benefits to their local community for their plans, as well as some funding already raised within the community. 


What For?
The Plunkett Foundation is leading this programme and delivering it in collaboration with Co-operative & Community Finance, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Co-operative Mutual Solutions, Pub is the Hub and Locality. For the first time it will offer the community pub sector access to an end-to-end support programme including capacity building and a finance package made up of loans and grants.
The programme will increase the number of community-owned pubs open and trading. For many communities, pubs are not just a place to drink; they are central to people's sense of place and identity, they provide an opportunity for meeting up, and they foster community cohesion.

Support will be targeted at community groups looking to take on ownership of their local pub. As valuable community assets, support will enable groups to deliver and evidence significant social benefits and impact. Support will be available to help groups develop their ideas but they are seeking groups committed to delivering a community pub for the benefit of the wider community, overcoming local issues. 

These activities could include the provision of employment and volunteering opportunities, work place training and additional services such as a shop, post office, library, internet café, cash point, prescription services and informal meeting spaces for a range of community activities.

A comprehensive package of business development support, advice and loan and grant funding has been developed to assist community pub businesses consider their viability at all stages of their development which includes:
• A flexible package of support including: 
• an advice line 
• events 
• workshops 
• peer-to-peer study visits 
• business development advice.

How Much? 
Flexible bursary awards of up to £2,500 (inclusive of VAT) to fund pre-feasibility costs such as public consultation and valuations. 

Combined loan and grant funding up to £150,000 but not exceeding £75,000 in grant contribution (average grant is expect to be c. £37,500, average loan may be around £42,800). Where the loan and grant combination is required the loan funding is a pre-requisite and grant monies will only be released once the loan has been approved with a loan provider. The amounts and ratios available are discretionary and will be assessed against the group’s ability to service a loan, meet the eligibility criteria and clearly demonstrate their wider social and economic impact. There is an expectation that groups will raise some level of community finance which will be taken into account when determining the funding mix.

Deadline 
Please fill out their initial enquiry form (below) and they will get back to you as soon as they can, or call the programme advice line for more information on 01993 810730. 
https://www.plunkett.co.uk/forms/initial-contact-form 

More Information
https://www.plunkett.co.uk/more-than-a-pub 

Article courtesy of Bruce Wright Funding Matters