Thread by @ChrisCowcher

Delighted to have @ThePubChampion chairing our roundtable about future support for #communitypubs across the UK. @vidhyaalakeson & @James_Plunkett are on hand to talk #MoreThanAPub learning & @PlunkettFoundat strategy to grow the community pub network. @peoplesbiz @mhclg

As @ThePubChampion points out the Community Ownership Fund will be a boost for #combiz initiatives such as #communitypubs... However this funding must be matched by support for organisations like @PlunkettFoundat & partners at this meeting to support the groups on the ground.

Great to hear @vidhyaalakeson talking about the critical importance of pubs in social infrastructure. The #MoreThanAPub programme, funded by @peoplesbiz over past 6 years aimed support #communitypubs to offer more for their local area. They are a "hub" of key services.

The @PlunkettFoundat run #MoreThanAPub approach was unique for a @peoplesbiz funded programmes, because it offered a full comprehensive end-to-end "offer" of support - new start groups to trading businesses. Role of peer support has been key to grow the model.

There will soon be an independent evaluation of #MoreThanAPub published, says @vidhyaalakeson. Lots of learning, including the impressive stat of 14k investors in #comshares offers to support #communitypub projects.

The #MoreThanAPub partnership led by @PlunkettFoundat, with @coop_finance & @KeyFund has developed a successful & replicable delivery model of how to support #communitypubs. @CAMRA_Official @PubistheHub_uk @localitynews @beerandpub @mhclg also key partners for #MoreThanAPub.

The reality is that despite #MoreThanAPub success, more needs to be done to help pubs in urban areas & more deprived communities. Model needs to evolve & grassroots link made to drive this. @PlunkettFoundat working with @WestMids_CA introduction to develop such an approach.

Our CEO @James_Plunkett opens his contribution by offering thanks to @peoplesbiz & @mhclg for funding #MoreThanAPub. The success of the programme is because of the wider partnership too.

As @James_Plunkett says, our aim was always to support pubs to not only sustain a food & drink offer but also create local employment, host health services, create an inclusive social environment. These pubs are #MoreThanAPub.

Keen to support businesses with a new strategy. No just about "saving the last pub" but enhance their offer. Sometimes it's hard to demonstrate the impact of pubs says @James_Plunkett, but by visiting the #communitypubs we're proud to support you see the difference they make.

The learning for @PlunkettFoundat from #MoreThanAPub is the 3 key ingredients for supporting #communitypubs... 1) Awareness raising to foster local engagement. 2) Bespoke one to one support for individual projects. 3) Access to finance - from early stage bursary, to grant & loans

Our new strategy aims to retain these elements of support says @James_Plunkett. We will also now use #MoreThanAPub in association with all @PlunkettFoundat #communitypub support UK wide. This is one single gateway to access the limited supported available.

Our strategy aims to bring in a range of funders & investors to continue delivering a comprehensive service for #communitypubs. @PlunkettFoundat is the only organisation offering a UK-wide package of support for #communitypubs but we can only do this with partners & supporters.

#CommunityShares investment has been key to developing #communitypubs so it is very positive to see @peoplesbiz remain committed to this form of finance in their new strategy. @CooperativesUK & their "Booster Programme" will be vital for this next phase of support. @ComShares

Fantastic thanks Dave Hollings from @CmsCooperative is here, one of the most experienced #communitypub advisers talking "Community of Interest" rather than just "Geographically defined communities" to help reach more projects in urban areas.

"How do we reach different communities as part of Levelling Up?" asks @Glennwalescoop from @WalesCoOpCentre. The reality is there is a challenge in local capacity, and it will likely take greater resource & support to develop projects in these communities.

The Scottish context, offered by @TobySandison from @CommSharesScot is that the model has taken longer to grow in terms of Interest. The Scottish Land Fund has been key to those that have developed so far.

Alex Read from @andy4wm's office @WestMids_CA talks about their work w.@PlunkettFoundat to develop the first #communitypub in the region. It is a hugely diverse area & the aim of the partnership is to trigger local conversations & promote the opportunity of #communityownership.

With the focus on #communityownership of businesses, @PlunkettFoundat believes now is the time for push for legislative change. We need consistent 'Community Rights' offering a 'Right of First Refusal' on assets such as pubs.

There is a need to work collectively says John Longden from @PubistheHub_uk. 80% of pubs in small rural areas & 75% in urban are small family businesses, we need to make sure the whole sector is supported. It can be a very isolating experience right now.

We are facing a very stark situation says @PubistheHub_uk & @ThePubChampion. We need to make sure that #communityowned pubs are a part of the wider pubs sector - not operating in isolation. @PlunkettFoundat is committed to partnership with others to continue offering support.

We need a change to planning law says @ThePubChampion, highlighting the @CampaignforPubs ask to offer pubs at market value to publicans, breweries, communities before any application for alternative use is progressed.

Where can we get further resource from for #communitypubs asks @Richard_Harries? Trusts & foundations will offer some, but this needs Government investment. But we need more research to demonstrate conclusively the impact of #communityowned pubs - Evidence to support the ask.

Great to hear Tim from @coop_finance say that we've achieved so much via #MoreThanAPub, we cannot cut them adrift now. But we need to be more inclusive who qualifies for support - social clubs for example, can be the #MoreThanAPub type of community hub.

There needs to be real action to follow today's meeting says experienced adviser Alan Collard (also Green Man, Topplesfield #communitypub). We need to be proactive - there needs to be a formula for support. We need change in planning. We need new routes to finance.

In wrapping up @ThePubChampion says it would have been lovely to have had today's meeting in a pub... maybe soon! Thank you to all the partners on the call - every one has a role to play. And finally we support @PlunkettFoundat, as partners & supporters. #MoreThanAPub