For centuries, pubs have played a major role in helping people to socialise.

Now a 17th century Yorkshire Dales pub is enhancing its role at the heart of its community by offering new services to help support local people, with the opening of a community café and village store.

These new community services, at Grade II listed The Foresters Arms in the picturesque village of Carlton in Coverdale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are providing much-needed support to villagers, as well as people from surrounding areas, as the nearest shop and cafes are a few miles away and public transport is lacking.

The Foresters Arms was purchased by members of the community 15 years ago and runs as a community co-operative.

The Foresters Arms, Community Pub in Carlton in Coverdale, Leyburn, North Yokshire. The pub has recently opened a shop and cafe for locals to use, creating a real community hub.

placeholder image — The Foresters Arms, Community Pub in Carlton in Coverdale, Leyburn, North Yokshire. The pub has recently opened a shop and cafe for locals to use, creating a real community hub.

It offers a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike, including walkers and cyclists, as its on walking routes and the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way.

It has three bed and breakfast rooms. It also champions local real ales and great food.

The village store, which is called ‘Auntie Betty’s’, in tribute to the now closed village post office/store which was part of the community for 60 years until closing many years ago, has been created within a previous storeroom at the front of the pub and has its own access from the street.

It operates as an honesty shop, with customers paying at the bar or in the café during opening or using a QR code payment system when the pub is closed.

The store is supporting as many local producers as possible, including Dales Dairy in Grassington and Two Dales Bakery in Reeth.

With expert guidance and access to a grant from Pub is The Hub, supported by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the new community café and village store, have further strengthened The Foresters Arms as the hub of its local community.

Linda Heseltine, the pub’s cafe/store manager, said: “The new café and store have already really enhanced the quality of life for many local people.

"We’re so proud to now offer these essential local amenities, with the new shop and café offering a true local hub.

“Locals now don’t have to drive for miles to stock up on essentials, with the shop set to be even more invaluable during the winter, when driving conditions deteriorate.

"The community café is proving a thriving social hub for a wide range of people including elderly people living on their own and young families.”

Kate Dearden, Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection and a Yorkshire MP, said: “This is exactly why we are working to secure the future of rural pubs with our Hospitality Support Fund.

“As of April 1, every pub is now also getting 15 per cent off its new business rates bill on top of the £4.3bn support package announced at Budget.”

Regional adviser for Pub is The Hub, Nigel Williams, said: “The Foresters Arms is a fantastic example of a pub at the heart of its community.

"Alongside the pub’s already great food, drink and rooms offer, it’s wonderful to see how the shop and café are helping to bring people together.”