Lottery funding to help pubs diversify
The call was made by Ed Hickman, a regional development officer with the Big Lottery Fund, at the launch of the Pub is the Hub’s Local Community Services Champions initiative in Essex earlier this week.
Hickman said that although the Big Lottery couldn’t fund pubs directly, it can fund equipment and the hire of venues used for social and community enterprises, such as keep-fit clubs and play groups.
How to qualify
To qualify for funding, a project must satisfy at least one of four objectives:
• Projects that make a change to people most in need
• Projects that give people a better chance in life such as better access to training
• Create a stronger community
• Improve the environment with healthier and more active people.
Available grants
Funding is available on two scales — small grants of between £300 and £10,000 and larger projects grants of £10,000 to £500,000.
The larger grant can be used towards the capital cost of a new building as well as paying for salaries, rent and training.
Hickman said there was no need for applicants to match the money granted by Big Lottery.
He told licensees: “If you ask for the right things, you are almost 100 per cent certain of getting funding.”
Pub is the Hub chief executive John Longden said his organisation would provide assistance and advice to help licensees make an application for funding.
More details of lottery funding can be found on www.awardsforall.org.uk and www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.
Graham Ridout is a contributor to BigHospitality sister publication The Morning Advertiser.
