Could troubled pubs get a financial boost?

TROUBLED rural pubs are in line for a much-needed financial boost – if a campaign to persuade landlords to become unofficial tourist guides is a hit.

VisitEngland wants local pubs to become makeshift tourist information centres, providing local knowledge and literature on local attractions rather than just pulling pints.

The idea behind the Inn England project is to help struggling pubs generate more trade and encourage them to diversify into accommodation and become part of the short-break holiday market.

With an average of 39 pubs being forced to close each week in the UK, many residents in rural areas have been left without a community focal point.

The scheme, run in association with The Publican magazine, has been welcomed by landlords across the Weald and Paddock Wood area.

Tracey Saunders, landlady of The Swan At The Vineyard, in Furnace Lane, Lamberhurst, said: "We have a few bits and pieces as you come in to our pub in the main foyer and people always pick things up.

"We get a lot of foreign tourists here and they are always interested in what is going on.

"It would be a great idea and hopefully give a bit of a boost to trade as well."

Neil Scott, landlord of the Globe and Rainbow pub in Kilndown with partner Rachel Leadbitter for four-and-a-half years, echoed the sentiments.

He said: "It sounds like a great idea, especially for a small village like Kilndown.

"We've got so much going on around us, with Bedgebury down the road and the Hop Farm not too far away, but probably the closest place to get information from would be in Cranbrook.

"We do have a bit of information on things such as the Kent and Sussex Railway and some art exhibitions but it would be great to make us a small tourist information office.

"People could come in, have a drink and decide what other things to do in the area."

But not all publicans in the area thought it was a good idea.

Nick Wright, who runs Matfield's The Star Inn when landlady Kay Vamplew is away, said: "I don't think it's a goer.

"We have taken a few leaflets to put about on the odd occasion and no-one seems to look at them.

"They just sit around the place making it look untidy."

VisitEngland wants pub landlords to position their businesses as the starting point for any visit to an area, rather than purely focusing on the needs of locals.

Inn England aims to promote pubs as places of tourist interest and, in return, landlords can help publicise local tourism.

Pubs interested in signing up to the campaign can visit www.innengland.com

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