When the pandemic hit, our readers, in pubs across the UK, stepped up to support their communities like never before. Delivering food and drink, checking in on the lonely and vulnerable, raising money for the NHS, acting as vaccine centres, selling essential supplies and holding online events to keep their customers’ spirits up. You did all this while your business was shuttered, your income slashed and your expertly cared-for cask beer was going to waste in your cellar. In this edition of the magazine we celebrate the many ways local pubs are proving how essential they are, and feature just a handful of the great community pubs across the country that are going above and beyond to support and improve their local area.