04/01/2010 - Call for law to protect local pubs
Neighbourhood pubs could be set to get more protection after councils called for additional powers to prevent national chains closing them down.
Currently, major pub companies can impose "restrictive covenants" on their properties, meaning that when they are sold on, they can no longer be used as pubs.
However, Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council and Ryedale District Council have proposed that councils be given the power to remove these restrictions to allow local pubs to thrive.
They said many of these pubs could continue to do good trade, and are often being closed so as not to compete with other nationally-owned establishments in the same areas.
The British Beer & Pub Association recently found that more than 50 pubs were closing each week, with 2,400 lost in the past year.
Newcastle's director of policy Paul Rubinstein said: "Local councillors and communities in Newcastle gave us clear feedback that doing something to support the sustainability of pubs as a key part of life in local neighbourhoods was important."
Keith Knaggs, the leader of Ryedale Council in North Yorkshire, said: "We are committed to helping to maintain local services in local communities, such as pubs, shops and post offices, all of which are vital to the future well-being of rural towns and villages."
The proposal will be considered by Communities Secretary John Denham, as part of the 2007 Sustainable Communities Act, which allows local authorities to suggest laws that would improve their communities.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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