NEW research shows a popular pub in St Newlyn East delivers £1.3-million in community value to Newquay every year.

The Pheasant Inn took part in a survey conducted by Punch Pubs in collaboration with Northumbria University and Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox to show the “true social value of our pubs.”

The report, The Public’s House: The True Economic and Social Value of Pubs, looked at the positive contributions pubs make to individuals and communities from supporting wellbeing to strengthening local connections, to charitable contributions and voluntary activities.

The research showed the average UK pub contributes £1.3-million in economic and social value to its local community annually, which is believed to be conservative, as many of the community contributions made by pubs such as providing support, company, and spaces for community groups to gather are “priceless.”

Punch Pubs carried out the research following the stark reality that one pub a day closes its doors across the UK.

James Wilson, the landlord of The Pheasant Inn, said: “I’m reminded every day that we’re far more than a pub. We’re a genuine community anchor – the place which the people of St Newlyn East rely on for routine, familiarity, and connection.

“In addition to being the place to meet, we play a significant practical and financial role in the life of the village, employing 14 people, the majority of which are full-time and most of whom live and want to work locally.

“Keeping money circulating in the local economy is important to us, so our flour is sourced from a nearby mill, a substantial amount of meat is purchased from the village butcher and our fruit and vegetables from Aral Farm, a community market garden.

“Friendship, belonging, and wellbeing are in everything we do, especially as there’s no sports clubhouse or dedicated event venue, so we often step in to facilitate activities and gatherings. We run initiatives like warm space coffee mornings, a book club, and even deliver Christmas Dinners to people who can’t leave their homes. We’ve built a strong group of regulars who drop in around 4pm every day just to see who’s here and catch up.

“These small gestures nurture something powerful: a sense of being seen, supported, and part of something bigger.

“And then there are the memories. Birthdays, anniversaries, quiet moments, and big milestones - life unfolds within our walls. One of our most treasured pieces of history is the wooden door set with 39 studs, each one representing a life lost in the East Wheal Rose mine disaster in 1846. Every year, people from all walks of life gather here to remember, reflect, and honour the stories of our community.

“I feel a genuine privilege in being a custodian of this pub. The Pheasant holds the shared history of our community - its joy, its sorrow, its everyday rhythms. It’s a space where everyone is truly welcome, and where the spirit of our village lives.”

Ms Cox said: “This research is a powerful reminder of just how much pubs matter.”