31/08/2010 - CAMRA criticises Woolpack closure
An organisation that promotes and protects pubs says the closure of the one used as the "Woolpack" in Emmerdale could have been avoided if the Government had continued with plans for community ownership.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) criticised the new coalition Government for deciding to ditch plans for communities to own pubs.
It was announced on Wednesday that the pub, which is used for the exterior shots of the "Woolpack", will close because the current tenant of the Enterprise Inns business, Nichola McGrath, is believed to be struggling to pay inflated rents and high beer prices.
Mike Benner, chief executive of CAMRA, said: "No doubt the tight-knit (albeit fictional) community in Emmerdale would jump at the chance to buy this icon of a pub together, but unfortunately the Government have recently scrapped plans to provide over £4 million to provide support for community-owned pubs. Without financial support, communities simply cannot afford to keep their pubs afloat."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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