New Life for An Old Pub

In the past year, 2,377 pubs have shut their doors across the UK - among them, the Bull's Head in the village of Boreham Street, East Sussex.

"As a villager, I was concerned that our community centre was, in effect, closing," says John Tomkins, who has lived in Boreham Street for more than a decade. The Bull's Head - the only pub in the village - was the first stop for local gossip and a good drink.

By Easter Saturday, a group of concerned locals and another publican stepped in to breathe new life into the Bull's Head. On 27 April, it opened again for business.
Diversification seems to be the key; To increase the pub's offerings so he's not solely reliant on across-the-bar business. The pub is attached to about eight acres of land, which Mr Corfield thinks may hold the key to its survival.So far, the Bull's Head has hosted a boot sale on this land, and other events, such as clay pigeon shoots, are in the pipeline for the future.

Charity events will also be key, Mr Corfield says. He organised an evening of live music with a raffle and auction for Help for Heroes, the charity that supports wounded soldiers. Events like this bring business into the pub, support a cause, and strengthen the pub's identity as a community hub.

He has also planted potatoes and started to raise farm animals, including chickens and pigs. The spuds, eggs and pork will be used in the pub kitchen, and the excess will be sold, bringing in additional revenue.This type of diversification is vital to the pub's future, says Mr Corfield.