Camra urges planning law change to stop pubs being converted to convenience stores
Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale, has urged the Government to change planning laws that currently allow supermarket chains and developers convert pubs into supermarket convenience stores.
Camra claimed that new research showed that since January 2010, more than 200 pubs across Britain have been converted in this way.
Based on a national pub conversion survey carried out by its members, Camra said that since the beginning of 2010, 130 pubs have been converted into convenience stores by supermarket giant Tesco, and 22 by Sainsbury's, with a further 54 by other companies such as The Co-Operative, Asda and Costcutter.
A further 45 pubs are under threat of conversion across Britain.
Mike Benner, Camra chief executive, said: "Weak and misguided planning laws and the predatory acquisition of valued pub sites by large supermarket chains, coupled with the willingness of pub owners to cash-in and sell for development, are some of the biggest threats to the future of Britain's social fabric.
"Unless action is taken by the Government to address obvious loopholes in planning legislation, more local communities will be forced to give up their local pub without a fight."
By Neil Gerrard
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