A charming row of thatched stone cottages in Puncknowle, Dorset, featuring The Crown Inn pub. The rustic exterior showcases hanging flower baskets, wooden benches, and chalkboard menus outside, inviting visitors to stop for food and drink. The scene captures traditional English village character with warm stone walls, white-framed windows, and a peaceful street setting under a cloudy sky.
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Why we should love the pub: it’s not about drink, it’s the community

The decline of rural pubs in the UK is alarming, with closures increasing at an unprecedented rate, causing significant loss to community life. Pubs serve vital social functions, and their closure results in diminished local interaction, cultural activities, and economic impact, threatening the fabric of rural society. Urgent government action is needed.