To honour the building's architecture and legacy and save its history from ruin, we will first preserve and repair the actual structure.
We do not want to say goodbye to the traditional pub & restaurant but we don't need as many as there were in such a small area.
Our priority is to help current establishments with debt restructuring and reduction, looking at ways to attract more customers, advertising locally and working with them so every independent outlet in an area can improve their offering and localising the supply chain so local businesses support local suppliers.
As for other empty buildings where there are (were) a high concentration of Pubs and Eateries, here are some potential ideas:
● Soft-Bars and Youth Club or Entertainment Areas? A soft-bar serves soft drinks and mock-tails with games and entertainment. ● A new chain of music venues where we can create an International Touring platform for established and up-and-coming musicians, bands & Performers in an inimate small venue setting? Practice and Rehearsal Spaces. ● Comedy clubs? ● Social venues for parties and local events? ● Family spaces with a play area? ● Cafes? Eat all you like buffet community cafe? Buy-One/Give-One Free Cafe? ● Study Spaces? ● Art Spaces and Community Museums? ● Bring back Community Libraries? ● Mystery rooms and games rooms? ● Shared business space for small businesses? ● Theatre, Performance and Rehearsal Spaces? ● Homeless Living Spaces or warming centres? ● Cottage Hospitals for minor conditions that need monitoring or wound treatment? ● Educational Tuition Spaces? ● Soup Kitchens? ● Safe Spaces for those with profound impairments of speech, sight, hearing, learning difficulties and severe mental health complications? ● Disabled Support Centres providing services like wheelchair repairs or somewhere those with dexterity issues could get help with cooking and preparing food? ● Community retail spaces for independent traders? ● Indoor farmers markets?
There is still room to restore the pub culture, fine & classic dining and restaurant culture, shopping culture, community spirit, and high foot traffic in a hamlet, village, town, or city, all of which would benefit the local economy, attract business and create jobs.
The list is virtually limitless and can be tailored to each locality in a way that suits them best. Beautiful structures with gothic, art deco, regency, and mediaeval architecture are not what we want to see fade away, become abandoned or demolished. We want areas to be admired and enjoyed by people. Each area could still offer something different to atract people from outside of the community. People within the community can have a say as to what each building is repurposed to. Involving them will more likely sustain ongoing custom.
We will always use LOCAL SERVICES, PRODUCERS, TRADES-PEOPLE & SUPPLIERS for any work or food/drink supplies wherever we can!
However, we want to go one step further and make every area more environmentally friendly! Depending on the type of business, some spaces may be able to operate entirely on renewable energy, while others will only be able to use it to supplement their current energy usage. However, that's okay because better options will become available for upgrades in the future as technology develops.
Here's another bonus; if we can raise enough through contributions we could create our own 'membership' system so members can enjoy some freebies each month then cost price for the rest of the month at any of the affiliated outlets worldwide? Food, Drinks, Free entry to events? Then let the non-members pay a low price but not quite as low as the cost price?