Funding to support more community-owned pubs across Scotland

Scottish Rural Network is providing funds to support the Scottish Community Pubs Partnership led by the Plunkett Foundation, which will allow more pubs to become community-owned in 2022. 

The partnership will be led by the Plunkett Foundation, working with Community Shares Scotland and Cooperative Development Scotland, and it will support the growing community pubs network in Scotland through a series of free training events, expert advice and networking activities.

The project has been launched in response to the increasing number of people across Scotland interested in learning about owning and running their local pub for the benefit of the wider community. 

Community-owned pubs have proven to make a significant impact on the local communities, helping them thrive by creating more job opportunities, providing additional essential services to residents and tackling issues of isolation and loneliness locally.

Claire Spendley, Head of Community Business at Plunkett Foundation, said: “In the last 25 years we’ve helped over 800 community-owned businesses begin trading and witnessed the benefits that these inspirational businesses can bring to a local area. We’re incredibly excited to help grow the number of community pubs in Scotland at a time when their communities really do need them the most. Community-ownership not only saves a pub from closure, but it brings people together, it improves community-spirit, it is inclusive and can help a rural village, and the people that depend on it, to thrive.”

The support for community groups will include free training opportunities, such as expert business and financial advice for groups just setting-up and those already open and trading. Two online workshops will take place on 28 February and 21 March 2022 and invites all those interested in learning more about community-ownership of their local pub to attend. Groups can also find out about the available support by contacting info@plunkett.co.uk or their helpline 0845 557 1469.

You can find more details about the project on the Plunkett Foundation website.