A COMMUNITY pub’s efforts to support residents during the pandemic have been celebrated in a national charity campaign.
During the first national lockdown the The New Inn Community Pub in Norton Lindsey decided to launch a delivery service.
But instead of just takeaway food, the pub also delivered provisions including tinned food, cleaning products and baby milk to those who were self-isolating, out of work or experiencing financial difficulty.
And the story of the pub’s effort to meet local need is told as part of a national campaign by The Plunkett Foundation, which helps rural communities tackle challenges such as social isolation, poverty and unemployment.
Pub chairman Quentin Hayes said: “Isolation is well documented – how difficult it can be for some groups, even in normal times. You put the covid 19 situation around that and it’s twice as bad.
“People came to look on the pub, and our pop-up shop, as a very important part of our community response. And it is something that we have a plan to return to at some future point. Having a community shop is one part of our future plans.”
The New Inn became the first community owned pub in Warwickshire when it was purchased collectively by more than 240 people in 2016.
Residents had a race against time to save the pub – which has been an inn since 1750 – from developers. It is now run for the benefit of the community.
Plunkett chief executive James Alcock said: “The story of The New Inn is a truly inspiring one, and I am delighted that we are sharing it.
“This has been a year of tough challenges, but also one of great community spirit – and nowhere is that more evident than in the village of Norton Lindsey.”
