The opening of a new community café at The George, in Bethersden, Kent, is helping to bring local people together.
General manager Bee Lewis (right) and supervisor Sam Buckman
The George Café launched a month after the pub re-opened as a community enterprise. It provides an opportunity for people living alone, mothers and toddlers, families, and groups to meet in a relaxed and welcoming space.
A selection of games and puzzles is available for children to play with, and there is a secure garden area with outdoor games.
Local residents and home-workers are also being encouraged to bring their laptops, to take advantage of superfast wifi and work in the comfort of the café.
The café 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 George Café also supports local suppliers, including And Bloss coffee and Pluckley tea, with cakes provided by some of Bethersden’s home bakers. There are plans to extend its trading hours later in the year, but it currently opens from Wednesday to Saturday, 10am until 4pm.
Working from home — or from the pub in this case
An initiative to support local artists is also being launched, giving them wall space to display pieces for sale.
“The café has been a great success, bringing new customers into the pub as well as reconnecting the village as a whole, and helping people locally to overcome loneliness and isolation,” said the pub’s community officer, Michelle Sadler.
Tim Tempest, regional advisor at Pub is The Hub, said: “This pub is truly at the heart of its community. This café will become a focal point for villagers to come together and provide an opportunity for more social interaction in this rural area.”
This is echoed in feedback left by locals. One recent visitor wrote: “We are so pleased that it is becoming the focal point of the community again, and the ‘go to’ meeting point for people.”
