Press Release on how Parish Council can help save Community Shops & Pubs

Parish power can save struggling village shops and pubs:

Local Government Minister Grant Shapps has issued a new rallying cry to parish councils, to safeguard struggling village shops and pubs for the benefit of local people. If a community shop, pub or village post office is threatened with closure, parish councils can use their powers to keep it running, including through the provision of financial support. Parish councils can also start new community shops or services; by giving small grants or, where appropriate, borrowing to make an investment, such as purchasing a freehold on a property. Ministers believe many parishes are not using these powers when they could, so Mr Shapps is making a new call on councils to sit down with their local community and make sure every effort is made keep rural services alive.

 For more information, click on the link below to see Grant Shapp's Press Release.