AN initiative has been launched to encourage Yorkshire communities to run their own community shops, pubs and cafes.

While commercial pressures from big supermarkets, and high rents and property prices, force many businesses to close, the Plunkett Foundation says community owned shops have a 99 per cent survival rate compared to the national UK business survival rate of just 46.8 per cent.

Next week the Foundation holds two open days - at Middleton Tyas Community Shop, near Scotch Corner, on Monday (20th), from 10am to 3pm, and at The Foresters Arms at Carlton-in-Coverdale, near Leyburn, on Tuesday - to explain how to establish a successful community shop or pub.

Community village shops continue to be a major success story having increased from just 27 in 1994 to 316 today.

Peter Couchman, chief executive of the Plunkett Foundation, believes their success is down to the feeling of togetherness and responsibility a community shop encourages.

He said: "Becoming a shareholder or volunteer in the local community shop gives people a sense of ownership. The importance of local shops and amenities cannot be underestimated, as they are almost always the only form of retail provision in the community in which they are based, particularly those in more isolated parts of the UK and particularly so for the elderly and less mobile."

There are four successful pub cooperatives in Yorkshire - The George & Dragon in Hudswell; Forester’s Arms in Coverdale; The Golden Ball, York; and the Fox and Goose, Hebden Bridge.

The Plunkett Foundation intends to help other community pubs learn from the success of these establishments and integrate them with other services like shops, bakeries and butchers.

"It's hard to appreciate just what the village shop or pub brings to a community and you don't really miss it until it's under threat," said Mr Couchman, "It's then you recognise the value and just how important it is. This project is designed to get communities inspired to revive pubs and shops and return them to the heart of villages and towns across Yorkshire.”

The Foresters Arms shut in early 2011 after having been an Inn since the 17th century and the community looked into ways to save it. Eighty residents attended the initial meeting and agreed to find ways to purchase it and bring it back to life. Four years on the pub is a thriving business with a well-regarded restaurant and accommodation.

Middleton Tyas Shop recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and is a thriving hub of the community selling basic groceries, local produce, deli, fruit and vegetables, newspapers and magazines; it boasts an in-store bakery and serves as an off license. The shop employs two part-time staff with regular input from 25 volunteers.

To register for free attendance at the shop event follow https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inspiring-yorkshire-community-shops-tickets-13093540131 and for the pub open day

follow https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inspiring-yorkshire-community-owned-pubs-tickets-13124992205