Pub is The Hub is a not-for-profit organisation, initiated by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2001, which offers independent specialist advice on rural services diversification or community ownership of pubs. Its Community Services Fund, which has been available since April 2013, is to offer funds to licensees who are looking to broaden their services to the wider community but are unable to find suitable funding from other sources. With grants of up to £3,000, applicants must demonstrate they will be offering a new service or replacing a service or activity that has already been lost to the local community, such as a local shop or a library.

Since 2013 the Pub is The Hub Community Services Fund has supported more than 65 projects in the UK and helped create more than 92 additional services. John Longden, chief executive of Pub is The Hub, said: “We do not receive any long term funding so annual commitments like this are warmly welcomed as they enable us to continue our support to licensees and their communities. “Any donations to the fund go straight back to the hard-working licensees who are inspirational in broadening their range of services and activities for the benefit of their communities.”

Rooney Anand, Greene King’s chief executive said: “Pubs are frequently the heartbeat of the community and often provide more than just a pint for their locals. The Community Services Fund offers important support to pubs enabling them to give their communities additional services. This can make a huge difference in rural areas.”