Rate of pub closures rises to 29 a week
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called for the government to take action to stop pubs closing as it released figures claiming that 29 pubs were shutting their doors for good each week.
These figures coincide with a new clause to the Infrastructure Bill in England, tabled this week by a cross-party group of MPs, which CAMRA said would mean that planning permission is always required before demolishing or converting a pub into a supermarket convenience store or other retail use.
Tim Page, CAMRA chief executive said: "It is currently possible to convert a pub into a betting shop, pay-day loan store or supermarket without the need for planning permission, making it far too easy for pubs valued by the community to be lost without local people having a say. Given the huge contribution that pubs make to community life in Britain we believe this cannot be right."
"The clause tabled by Charlotte Leslie MP is a fantastic opportunity to get the Government to take swift action to close these planning loopholes. We urge every MP who supports local communities and local pubs to get behind this clause and help secure a better future for the great British pub industry. We hope that we can rally support from sufficient MPs to persuade Ministers to reconsider their current refusal to provide effective planning protection for viable and valued pubs."
Such protection already exists for sites such as theatres, scrap yards and nightclubs. It would also give communities the chance to have a say when their local pub is under threat.
The campaign has so far secured the support of nearly 100 MPs for an Early Day Motion on pub demolition and change of use. CAMRA said it was calling on all MPs to support the clause and make the changes necessary to support local pubs across the country.
Charlotte Leslie MP for Bristol North West said: "We urgently need a change to the law to protect pubs like The Bourne End in Brentry in my constituency from being simply demolished, or turned into a supermarket before the community has had the ability to have its say. Of course there will be some pubs that simply are not viable, but we must reset the balance in favour of the community, not the big developers."
