Pub is the Hub Case Study

DRUID INN, LLANFERRES, DENBIGHSHIRE, CH7 5SN

BACKGROUND The Druid is a Marstons lease property run by James and Julie Dolan, located on the main road between Ruthin and Mold, at the edge of the small village of Llanferres near the Clwydian range, close to Offa’s Dyke in Denbighshire. The pub is the only service in the village, together with a school and a church. The pub provides services for both the community and visitors to the area. The village and hinterland has only partial Broadband connectivity and therefore many local people cannot access the Internet. They also have to travel to around 5 miles into the nearest centres to access public services and information. The area also attracts many visitors each year and the pub, which employs over ten local people and uses a range of local suppliers, has been able to develop new services that will help with sustainability.

PROJECT SUMMARY The project has provided a broadband Internet connection for the pub, together with a public access point, consisting of a computer and printer. The broadband also provides free of charge community Wi-Fi access so that local people can bring their laptops into the pub. The free internet provision is available to the community from 8.00am – 11.00pm, seven days a week.

OUTCOMES Since the installation, the new Wi-Fi service has been welcomed by the local community who use both the Wi-Fi and the access point to carry out many essential online activities, which have included access to local authority information and central government services such as Job Centres. The new services have allowed older residents to learn about the benefits of the internet prior to purchasing equipment themselves, and a number of people have enquired about outreach community training and courses, which can be run by Denbigh College from the pub. An unexpected outcome has been the informal learning activities taking place between regulars at the pub, and the greater use of the pub by families, as young people use the Wi-Fi when visiting the pub with their parents. Also, the pub now has a Facebook page, which is engaging local people, and an online library of local photos has been set up. Local societies and groups now meet at the pub and collectively organise trips and events using online information. The pub has also been able to introduce an online booking system for bed and breakfast and restaurant reservations, which is helping to improve the viability of the pub, which in turn provides employment and supports local suppliers.

LESSONS TO LEARN  The project has made a valuable contribution to community life which in turn has stimulated new group activities within the pub.  The project has provided an opportunity to engage with a local college and develop small outreach training courses in the pub.  A wide range of activities have spontaneously grown from a low cost very basic service.  The success of the project has given the licensee confidence to develop further community projects in future, with a small shop in the pipeline.  A wide range of age groups have benefited from the project, which has helped both the community and the pub.

PROJECT CAPITAL COSTS Total project capital costs £4,500 (includes 3-year connection and maintenance agreement) Applicant contribution £1,250 Grant £3,375

LICENSEE CONTACT: James and Julie Dolan Tel. 01352 810225 PUB OWNER: Marstons EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.druidinn.com PUB IS THE HUB CONTACT: Malcolm Harrison Tel. 01423 546165

Project supported by Pub is the Hub