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2nd April 2013

“List Your Local” campaign could save your favourite pub from closure

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is today launching a major new campaign to encourage communities to list their local pub as community assets.

The “List your Local” campaign, launched during CAMRA’s Community Pubs Month, aims to get 300 UK pubs listed as Assets of Community Value in 2013. Listing a pub as an Asset of Community Value with the local council means a pub can’t be sold on without the local community being told, gives the local council greater ability to refuse planning applications from developers and even gives the local community up to six months to put in a bid to buy the pub should it be put up for sale.

High property prices mean pubs are being targeted for conversion into supermarkets, fast food outlets, and housing developments. CAMRA’s Chief Executive Mike Benner had this to say,

“3/4 of pub-goers* believe that a well-run community pub is as important to community life as a post office, local shop or community centre, and as such CAMRA is delighted that the Government has recognised this and empowered communities to protect their pubs.

By listing their local, communities are ensuring that if the pub is under threat in the future, there is a much-needed extra layer of protection which “stops the clock” should it be put up for sale. With 18 pubs closing every week and pubs increasingly a target for developers, this new power is a massive step forward in the battle to protect valued pubs.”

Want to find out more about protecting pubs, or want to “List Your Local”? Visit www.camra.org.uk/listyourlocal

 

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Notes to Editors:

For further information contact neil.walker@camra.org.uk or call the press office on 01727 798 443

*Source: CAMRA/TNS Tracking Survey February 2013. “Is a well-run community pub as important to community life as a post office, local shop or community centre?” 73% of pub goers agreed.

The power for communities to nominate Assets of Community Value and the Community Right to Bid were introduced under the Localism Act in September 2012.

CAMRA have set up a dedicated web page and designed an easy to follow guide explaining the simple process of how to “List Your Local” as an Asset of Community Value – To find out more information, or to download a step by step guide, visit www.camra.org.uk/listyourlocal
What power does listing a pub as an asset of community value give?

·         Listed pubs can’t be sold on without the local community being told

·         When a listed pub goes on the market, community groups then have up to six months to find the money to put in a bid to buy the pub

·         Councils can use the listed status of a pub to refuse planning applications from developers
What is Community Pubs Month?

Community Pubs Month, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale, will kick off on the 1st of April with pubs all across Britain running events to help increase more trade.

With pub-going on the decrease and 18 pubs closing every week, Community Pubs Month encourages pubs to organise events throughout the week to encourage more locals to visit the pub.

Over 6,000 pubs are expected to take part and CAMRA will use this campaign to launch a number of press stories starting Friday 29th March, to help raise the profile of pub-going in Britain.

For more info: www.communitypubsmonth.org.uk