A RESCUE package is being put into action to save Flintshire’s pubs.
With pubs closing at an alarming rate, Flintshire Council has started a review looking at how to revive their fortunes by helping them provide much-needed services such as shops and post offices.
And warnings have been issued that if rural services and businesses close, some villages could lose their status and revert to green belt land.
Halkyn’s Blue Bell Inn is already taking advantage of the scheme and is set to become the first UK pub to operate as a sub-post office without a sub-postmaster.
The council is to help pubs eligible for the ‘Pub is the Hub’ scheme to identify and apply for funding which could help keep them open.
Cllr Matt Wright, Flintshire Council’s executive member for regeneration and tourism, said: “We have undertaken a review of local pubs.
“That will inform ‘Pub is the Hub’, which will be launched in February. There are two or three pots that can fund these sorts of projects and a rural fund we have as a council. We will look to see if the pubs are eligible for match funding.
“This would help pay for various changes that would need to be put in. It is doing things to keep the community together and diversifying for pubs.
“Potentially most of the rural pubs could be eligible. I know there is already quite a bit of interest.”
Cllr Wright said the scheme could be the difference between pubs going under or staying open.
He said: “This could save some pubs. Pubs are saying it’s difficult. They are closing at an alarming rate and they are struggling.
“We are keen to help the pubs as much as possible.”
The council is working with rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd on the project.
The survey found all rural areas in Flintshire had a pub while 82 per cent had a shop and just under three quarters have a post office.
Steven Marquis, landlord of the Blue Bell, said: “The feedback I get from other pubs is that it is a struggle. It has been a struggle for us this year.
“People have got less money in their pockets so you have to work much harder at getting more people in.
“At a national level the amount of red tape is enormous. If that was reduced it would help free up time for me to look at marketing and get more people in.”
Halkyn’s local post office closed in April with the retirement of the postmaster.
Mr Marquis said: “Since April we have been in contact with the post office to see if we can install something here. It has been a struggle but we have just heard they have given us approval.
“It will increase footfall and it will be a focal point to the village.”
Mr Marquis said some villages can lose their status and be re-categorised as green belt land if they lose shops and pubs.
He said: “I’m a huge believer in keeping services local and in the community. The village I lived in before we lost our last business lost its status as a village.
“It affected people’s planning and everything, I do not want to see that happen.”
It is hoped the new post office could be open by April.