Room for Expansion as Project Encourages More Pub Accommodation

Chris Baron, Resort Director at Butlins in Skegness and the tourism lead on the LEP Board, said: “Pubs have traditionally been the heart of communities and have played a vital part in rural life. This scheme supports our growing visitor economy by providing more high-quality accommodation, and it also helps breathe life into many of our pubs and helps them diversify.

“Over the last decade we have seen a rapid decline in the number of pubs – many of them struggling to survive in rural communities.

“We wanted to explore the possibility of encouraging pubs to widen their offer with good quality accommodation, helping sustain their role in the heart of the community and boosting tourism.”

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, added: “Partners from all areas across Greater Lincolnshire are working together to develop a proposal for a tourism sector deal.

“Hospitality businesses including pubs are vital in driving economic growth through job creation and attracting residents and visitors to an area to spend their money.

“Beyond this they play such an important role in our communities which can be so important to our mental health and community cohesion, especially in rural areas.”