Community key for pubs to stay open, say Cornwall landlords

Pub owners have said being aware of what their community wants is the key to staying open.

Concerns were recently raised about the impact the Budget would have on the hospitality industry due to changes in rateable values, used to calculate a venue’s business rate, which could lead to traders having to pay more from April.

A HM Treasury spokesperson said the government was “protecting pubs, restaurants and cafes with the Budget’s £4.3bn support package”.

Landlords in Cornwall said finding ways of “giving people a reason” to visit the pub was the key to success.

Matt Reay, landlord of the Moth and Moon in Falmouth, said the venue’s business rates had doubled recently.

To keep bringing people in, he said the pub offered a variety of activities for people – including a quiz, folk music sessions, Spanish classes and a regular poetry and spoken word evening which had led to a book being published.

“You’ve got to give people a reason for coming out nowadays because drinking is expensive,” he said.

“You’ve got to give them a reason other than just coming out for the odd pint with friends.”

He said the best pubs were those which had become “integral to their community”.

Mr Reay said: “You’ve got to be part of it and involved.”

Verdant Brewery runs five bars and restaurants across Cornwall, including having a taproom next to its main base in Penryn.

Venue manager Alex Morrall said staying afloat in the industry was a struggle at times and people needed to be “passionate” if they wanted to do well.

He said the brewery’s venues were their own “independent little businesses” which had factored in the community’s needs.

Mr Morrall added: “It’s an escape, but partly it’s also a community feel as well so you get to know other people in venues like our pubs and bars where you know if you do just want to go and have a chat, you can.

“If you want to escape, you can, but if you want to join in, you can.

“It’s all things for all people.”

Rich Ashton, owner of St Mabyn Inn in St Mabyn, said landlords had to “know their customers” to make a success of their trade.

“You really need to get to know the people near you, know their names and who they’re related to,” he said.

“We engage with our local sports clubs and it’s a real community space.

“Our regulars stretch far and wide because we’re inclusive and everybody’s welcome and our aim is to make sure everyone has a good time.”

In Ponsanooth, a community group is attempting to raise money to buy the Stag Hunt pub, which is up for sale with an asking price of £490,000.

Ponsanooth Community Benefit Society launched a community share offer which gives people the chance to invest between £100 and £40,000 to become a part-owner in the pub.

Society chairman Sam Fitch said: “All village pubs are important parts of the community, but this is a completely different business model.

“By taking it into community ownership, everyone who has invested has a say in its direction and gets a meaningful vote over how its profits are distributed.

“Our legal structure is such that every penny of profit we make will have to go back into supporting village causes and community projects, so there’s no opportunity for private gain.”