A FORMER business studies lecturer who sank his pension into saving his village pub from closure has won £1,500 Government cash.

Derek Miller came out of retirement to take over the Alma, in Copford Green, when he heard the previous landlord was calling time on the business.

Mr Miller, 53, said: “It was my local and I didn’t want to see it close, so I took it over from him.”

He applied to Business Link, a Government-funded advice and guidance service, for one of the grants it is offering to help struggling rural pubs.

His £1,500 grant paid for a big TV screen and the subscription to a satellite sports channel, in an effort to attract new customers to the pub.

Business Link experts have also helped Mr Miller draw up a business plan to boost custom, including promoting the pub as a venue for local club and society meetings and quiz nights.

Business Link adviser Robert Turnbull said: “Installing the satellite sports channel has improved the Alma’s ability to compete.

“Derek has created a new market, as well as wooing punters from alternative venues.”

Mr Miller said: “It’s very difficult for pubs at the moment. With about 40 closing each week and VAT going up in January, pubs need all the help they can get.

“Help like this is very useful and I shall certainly look into the next round of funding.”

Business Link is funded by the East of England Development Agency and has announced 70 more grants of as much as £1,500 will be available for rural pubs between now and February.

Edwin Jones, Business Link’s rural affairs partnership director, said: “So far, more than 200 pubs have benefited from grants during the course of the initial funding rounds.

“This funding has come at a crucial time for the industry as, in our increasingly challenging economy, many pubs have been forced to call last orders for good.”