Pub Closures Loophole up for Review

The unpopular legal clause which allows large pub companies to restrict the uses of pubs after their closure will be reviewed, ministers have announced.'Restrictive covenants' are argued to damage competition and prevent communities saving their local pub.

Pubs minister Bob Neill announced there would be a public consultation on the issue next year, with the possibility of scrapping the clause entirely.He said: "The pubs and clubs in our community can be the heart and soul of a town, village or street and many of us will be heading off to our local this evening to celebrate the new year.

"For too long now communities have felt shut out when rules prevent a building being used again as a public house or community club. I want to stop that and put local people in charge.

"By reviewing the use of this restrictive piece of red tape it is another boost for localism and means that communities could use their collective powers to keep important hubs of community life open."The government agreed to the consultation after three local authorities called for a review of restrictive covenants.Under the localism bill announced earlier this month, local community groups will be able to bid for the running of under-threat pubs under a 'right to buy' scheme.

Assets deemed 'vital' to the community will be submitted to councils, who will then place them on a list of sites with a moratorium on closures to allow communities to develop a bid.The news of the review will make such local bids more likely to succeed and was greeted warmly by pressure groups unhappy with the current loopholes - which they say favour larger companies.

Mike Benner, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, said it was a "victory for people power"."Restrictive covenants are used by pub companies to deprive local communities of their pubs, at a time when 29 pubs are closing every week," he added.

"This announcement that the government will consult on the use of restrictive covenants is a great success for localism, and shows that government recognises that pubs are vital community assets that need to be protected."For the new community right to buy scheme announced in this week's Localism Bill to work, pubs need to be available for communities to keep open."

Pub closures loophole up for review - politics.co.uk

Community Pubs Minister Appointment

The position of pubs minister has been brought back by the government after calls from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).Conservative MP, Bob Neill, will take up the role previously filled by John Healey, which was scrapped after the last election.

Neill stated: "The local pub is a great British institution and the social heartbeat of life in our towns and villages, bringing people together and strengthening community relationships.

“As minister with responsibility for pubs, I am determined to protect the valuable role pubs play and help them to thrive.”

CAMRA’s head of policy and public affairs, Jonathan Mail, said that the group was “delighted” with the change in government thinking.

“It is vital that the pub and beer sector has a powerful voice within government to help oppose calls for ever higher taxes and restrictions on pub opening houses.

“The government also has a role in creating an environment which enables pubs to succeed and helping communities save valued pubs under threat of closure,” he added.

Other British beer and pub associations were quick to announce their satisfaction with the news, claiming it showed how seriously the government took the threat of pub closures.

CAMRA hails Big Society Support for Community Owned Pubs

This morning the Prime Minister gave a speech on the Big Society, endorsing pubs as local assets and promising Government support for communities wishing to save threatened pubs through community ownership.

Community ownership for pubs would not only be invaluable in saving pubs threatened with closure but there is clearly an appetite for it. CAMRA's recent polling research shows that 63% of regular pub goers would be willing to join efforts to save their favourite local pub if it was under threat.

CAMRA has therefore welcomed this morning's announcement, and has written to the Government seeking assurances that the Big Society will be backed up with adequate resources to provide business, legal and financial advice to communities wishing to save their pub by running it as a mutual, co-operative or social enterprise.

Jonathan Mail, CAMRA's Head of Policy and Public Affairs said:

"Pubs provide the vibrant heart of many communities and provide an invaluable meeting place and the centre for countless local activities. The loss of such pubs can be devastating to community spirit and identity and Government has a key role to play in enabling communities to come together to save their local pubs."

Pub Industry Call for Duty Reduction in Face of Budget VAT Hike

A VAT hike to 20% would raise the price of a pint by 6p and cause the loss of 7,000 jobs a year, without a compensatory cut in duty reports the Morning Advertiser.

The report by Oxford Economics forms part of a budget submission to Chancellor George Osborne by three organisations — the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

The submission calls on Osborne to freeze duty and set out plans for a fairer tax system that recognises beer as a lower-strength drink.If VAT is increased to 20% at the Budget on 22 June, the three bodies call for a 4% compensatory drop in duty, which is 1.6p per pint.

Oxford Economics state that such a move would mean £114m to the Treasury in tax receipts next year and £134m in 2011/12.The BBPA is encouraging pub goers to lobby the Chancellor through the I’m Backing the Pub website.

Who Will Save The Pub; Question Time For MPs

The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Save the Pub Group will host a Question Time style "Who will Save the Pub" debate for all three main political parties the Morning Advertiser reports

Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland, chair of the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, will take on the David Dimbleby role.Labour has yet to confirm who will appear for them but Tobias Ellwood for the Conservatives and Don Foster for the Lib Dems will appear on the 16 March.

The event will be by invitation and will include an audience made up of members of the public from CAMRA branches as well as pub trade organisation representatives.
The panel will be asked questions submitted by CAMRA members and others about the key issues facing British pubs.

“We want the great British pub to be seriously on the agenda at the forthcoming general election and it is time for all three main parties to say what they plan to do to support and save this important British institution," said Mulholland.

“Talk, whether in the pub or in parliament is easy, but we need action, so CAMRA and the Save the Pub Group are joining forces to put the party spokespeople on the spot to tell us how they will change things to support and save the pub.”

CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner added: "There is a growing consensus on the importance of pubs as places to responsibly enjoy a drink and their contribution to community life.

"What is now needed are clear proposals on how the future of well-run community pubs can be be safeguarded."

CAMRA National Pub of the Year

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today crowned the Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield, as its National Pub of the Year for 2009.

Last year, the Kelham Island Tavern picked up the same award, making it the first pub in CAMRA's history to win its most coveted accolade in consecutive years. Only two other pubs have ever won the award twice- the Fat Cat, Norwich (1998, 2004), and the Swan, Little Totham, Essex (2002, 2005).

CAMRA's National Pub of the Year competition analyses all the criteria that make a good pub including the quality of the beer, atmosphere, décor, customer service, and all-round value of the pub visit. The competition is overseen by CAMRA's 110,000-strong membership.