Healey announces plans to protect 'community pubs'

The Government unveiled measures to protect community pubs today in an effort to stem nearly 40 closures a week.

Pubs minister John Healey announced £4 million in funding alongside practical support for pub landlords.

The measures include £3.3 million to be spent on business support to make pubs more successful and to help communities buy into struggling premises to keep them open.

Councils are to be given new planning powers to intervene before a pub is demolished and restrictions on sales which prevent premises continuing as pubs will be also banned.

Pubs will also be allowed to extend into ventures ranging from restaurants to gift shops and book shops without planning permission.

Mr Healey said: "This package of tough, practical measures aims to put some real support behind our community pubs, giving publicans more support to diversify and punters more choice. We need and can do more to support our pubs which can be at the heart of a local community.

"Today's measures are a much needed shot in the arm for publicans in these tough times. They will make it easier to diversify, lower costs and cut red tape when it comes to branching out. It is also a boost for local communities, giving them a greater stake in the future of their local pubs often so important in bringing people together."

Landlords will also have access to specialist business support and advice, Mr Healey said.

The measures also relax "beer ties", rules that require tenant landlords to buy supplies only from pub companies, allowing publicans to buy locally-sourced ales as well as their usual stock.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) welcomed the announcement.

Camra chief executive Mike Benner said: "This is a great day for people who care about the future of our community pubs. This inspired action plan could offer a lifeline to thousands of pubs and help communities stave off pub closures which threaten their quality of life and community well-being."

"I am delighted that John Healey has listened to Camra's calls to help stop pubs being demolished unnecessarily, to ban the anti-competitive practice of placing restrictive covenants on pubs to stop their future use as pubs, and for the industry to self-reform the beer tie to allow pub tenants a free of tie option and to take a guest ale."

He added: "These plans have the potential to totally transform the UK pubs market leading to a freer, more competitive market where consumers will benefit from greater choice, improved amenity and lower prices."

Caroline Spelman, shadow local government and communities secretary, said: "Under Labour there has been a surge in alcohol-fuelled violence in our high streets, while local community pubs go to the wall.

"Pubs face the perfect storm of above-inflation hikes in business rates next month, escalating alcohol duty and unfair loss-leading by supermarkets. Labour's arbitrary changes to drink-driving limits will force even more rural pubs to go to the wall.

"Conservatives will stand up for local community pubs and give residents new rights to protect them, whilst giving police and councils strong powers to tackle the binge drinking violence that ruins our towns at night."