Council urges rural pubs to apply to £250,000 fund

Sarah Lewin has led the initiative at Uttlesford District Council

A council has urged pubs across its district to apply for a share of a £250,000 fund which it received from the government to support the sector.

Uttlesford District Council in Essex said pubs could bid for awards of up to £25,000 each from the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

Under the scheme pubs can also apply for free consultations to help with business development, new products and digital presence.

Eleven pubs and hospitality businesses have so far received grants totalling £77,000 and £173,000 was still available, the council added.

The funding is split into four strands: visitor economy grants, which helps pubs create new offers for customers; energy efficiency grants, which cut bills and carbon emissions; community development grants, which support pubs' social role in villages; digital skills grants, which offers training and website support.

Council officers said the aim of the fund was "simple" - to keep pubs alive as community hubs as well as businesses.

Sarah Lewin, the economic development manager at Uttlesford District Council, said the programme was about protecting a part of local life.

"The challenges that pubs have faced have been well-documented, there's a lack of staff [and] taxes are high on alcohol sales.

"There's lots and lots of reason why we looked at what pubs needed," she said.

Sam and Harry Kodagoda own The Cricketers Arms and say business is harder in the winter months

Sam Kodagoda, 40, and her husband Harry Kodagoda, 46, own The Cricketers Arms in Rickling Green, Essex, and said the support was vital at a time when many businesses were facing high costs and changing customer habits.

The couple have run the 10-bedroom public house and restaurant for more than six years and decided to apply for the council's digital skills scheme to help them with the business' social media presence and website.

Mrs Kodagoda said they never would have been able to fund the help without the scheme.

"Trade is getting harder, tougher, because everyone is feeling the pinch," said Mr Kodagoda.

Graham Pearson's pub, The Railway Arms, was awarded £15,000 for the scheme

The Railway Arms in Saffron Walden, Essex, was closed for five years and then bought by the community and is now a community benefit society.

Graham Pearson, 64, has managed the pub for the past four years and was awarded £15,000 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

"Every little helps, as they say," he said.

The council said it hoped the support will not only keep pubs open but help them adapt for the future, from energy saving to new digital tools.