The White Lion in Broadwindsor, Dorset, is expanding its food offer to provide more services to people in the area.
The pub has renovated its kitchen facilities allowing it to offer a pub food menu and it is also planning to launch a takeaway meal service for people locally.
The new kitchen was opened with the expert help and a Community Services Fund grant from Pub is The Hub, the not- for-profit organisation that helps pubs to diversify and provide essential local services.
The White Lion is run by members of the local community, who were approached by Palmers Brewery, who were keen to keep the pub open.
Working closely with Palmers Brewery, members of the community formed Broadwindsor Community Pub Ltd, and took on the tenancy, reopening the White Lion in April 2022 after a successful community fundraising campaign.
The White Lion, which is run by manager Kate Staff and her daughters Chloe and Louise, has already launched a successful Thursday pie night and Sunday lunch, but there are plans to
expand the food offer further.
All dishes are home-made with locally-sourced produce, with meat and cheese supplied by Nick Tett Butchers, Beaminster and fish from Davy’s Locker in Bridport, and fruit and vegetables from Washingpool Farm , Bridport.
Manager Kate Staff said: “The new food offer has been attracting more local people into the pub and helping to create connections. We had 36 farmers meet up on pie night which
was a great way to get them talking and socialising.
“Our vision to make the White Lion the hub of Broadwindsor where everyone feels welcome.”
Rick Dyke, committee member of Broadwindsor Community Pub Ltd, added: “By expanding the food offer we are giving people another reason to come out and visit the pub. We think this will also help combat isolation in this agricultural community and go some way to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the local area.”
Pub is The Hub regional advisor Reg Clark said: “This pub is the centre of this local village offering a place for people to drop in for anything from a coffee, lunch to just a get together for a
chat. It is a great example of a pub supporting people in its local community.”
Image: Pub is the Hub regional advisor Reg Clarke presents a plaque to Rick Dyke, committee member of Broadwindsor Community Pub Ltd.
Editor’s Notes
Pub is The Hub is a not-for-profit organisation, which offers independent specialist advice to publicans on rural services diversification or the options for the community ownership of pubs, so they can all provide viable local services at the heart of their community. With a proven track record of rural project development and delivery over the last 20 years, Pub is The Hub has worked with great publicans to open shops, libraries, cafes, community cinemas, allotments, play areas and much more. Since 2013, the organisation has also been able to offer small grants through its Community Services Fund. Pub is The Hub has helped over 600 pubs diversify, with almost 200 of these benefitting from help through the Community Services Fund.
Building on its community services work, in 2018 Pub is The Hub conceived its ‘Join Inn – Last Orders for Loneliness’ campaign. ‘Join Inn’, specifically looks to support publicans and their communities to become better connected, helping local people feel less isolated and, in the process helping to alleviate loneliness.
Website: www.pubisthehub.org.uk
Twitter: @PubistheHub_uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pubisthehub
Press release from Pub is The Hub.
For enquiries, please contact Michelle Perrett via michelleperrett@pubisthehub.org.uk