Arkell's appoints community liaison manager to help save rural pubs
Wiltshire-based brewer Arkell's has appointed what it believes is the first "brewery community liaison manager" to engage local parish councils and communities to help sustain rural and pub life.
Richard Turner, a retired director at the 168-year-old business who has over 30 years' experience in the brewing industry, has taken on the role. He will encourage local communities to use pubs for other activities and services such as yoga lessons, toddler groups, post office services and shops.
Brewery chairman James Arkell said the move would help strengthen rural pubs, which are at particular risk of rising costs and difficult trading conditions. "With rural post offices and village stores closing, the role of the village pub is changing and there are opportunities for these pubs which weren't there before," he said. "If new initiatives are supported by the local community, they could improve a pub's viability and reintroduce local amenities which have been lost. Richard will work with the local community and pub landlord, to identify what is and isn't practical and make viable initiatives happen."
Turner added: "The current issues facing rural pubs aren't new, but have been exacerbated over the past few years with the spiralling cost of utilities, staff and the smoking ban. Where local post offices have closed, a number of Arkell's pubs have already taken the initiative to offer rural postal services. Others sell grocery essentials such as milk, bread, eggs and daily newspapers. This benefits everyone. We are encouraging input and support from local communities where this has yet to happen."
Arkell's said the idea had already started to work at one of its pubs - the Rose and Crown in Ashbury near Swindon (pictured).
When the previous landlords announced they were leaving in February, Arkell's invited the village to tell them what they wanted from their local pub. Hundreds of locals attended a meeting to have their say and a village steering committee has been established to share ideas and support the brewery. Relief landlords Barry Barker and Malin Ricknell have been so impressed with the response they are now considering staying, Arkell's said.
Leading the steering group is local man Steve Treadwell. He said: "The Rose & Crown is woven into the fabric of our community. It is the hub of the village and we are delighted to be able to work with Arkell's to find the right tenant."
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By Neil Gerrard
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