A new community café has opened at a north Northumberland pub aiming to bring people and groups together to help combat loneliness and isolation.

The community-owned Fishers Arms in Horncliffe, near Berwick, is being supported with help and money from Pub is The Hub.

The need for the café was recognised as the area is poorly served by public transport and has few other services. The village had already lost its local shop, post office, school and church, with the pub – which reopened earlier this year – being its last amenity.

The area also has a higher-than-average number of both over-65s and unpaid carers, who are also benefiting from having somewhere to meet and socialise.

The Fishers Arms has been at the heart of Horncliffe since 1760 and was saved from closure in July 2022 when the local community purchased the pub.

Managers Kasia Kozik and John Graham took over running the pub in March.

They have ensured the community café serves a range of home-made cakes, scones plus coffee and tea alongside a warm welcome.

The café also appeals to tourists, cyclists and walkers as well as visitors from the local campsite and holiday lets.

Pub committee member Moira Kay said: “The community has really rallied round to support the opening of the pub and the café. The café is providing an important space where people can get together for a chat or take part in an activity, which helps to connect them with others and can help people who might feel isolated or lonely.”

Pub is the Hub’s Nigel Williams said: “This is a pub that is at the heart of its local area. This brilliant community café has already proved to be a lifeline for those living in this isolated rural area that has already lost so much of its local services.”

Pictured: Kasia Kozik and John Graham