Church and Pub Merge Together for Better Community Facilities

A Herefordshire church is to take over the local pub in a move that will see the development of a Community hub. St Paul’s Church in Tupsley is working in partnership with the North Tupsley Action Group (N-TAG) and Herefordshire Council.

Reverend John Watson from St Paul’s Parochial Church Council said he was delighted by the development. “This former pub will now be the heart of the community, providing a venue for community groups and services such as a youth club as well as activities for older residents,” he said. “It’s been a haul pulling it all together but I’m sure it will be worth it.”

The  long awaited plan to secure a new community centre at the former White House public house in Whittern Way, Tupsley, came about after N-TAG secured the support of Herefordshire Council and St Paul’s Church, Tupsley,  to develop the proposal, using funds from Herefordshire Council. The Church PCC applied for planning permission to change the use of the building from pub to a community hub.

“St Paul's will receive £75,000 from Herefordshire Council towards the refurbishment of the building,” said John. “There aren’t many facilities in this part of Hereford for the community to get together and this will offer residents a chance to socialise more and provide activities for both young and old to enjoy.”

This will be the latest venture by the Church of England locally which has developed the nave part of the church building in Bridge Sollars and Peterchurch as community meeting places, Yarpole church now houses a Community Shop; government and local Children’s Services are delivered in St Peter’s at Peterchurch, alongside a full social calendar and church services.

Wendy Coombey, Community Partnership and Funding Officer for the Diocese said “This is just another example of how the local church community can support local people by working in partnership with them - whether it’s by letting them use our buildings or whether it’s just providing the support they need to make something happen.  We are in a good place to do this as we have a branch in every community. In the last few years, we’ve seen a steady increase in a whole range of activities being taken up by local people in partnership with our churches and in some cases this can help transform local communities for the better.”