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Help Halt The Decline Of The Pub Say Council Leaders
New plans submitted to the Government by council leaders today
aim to halt the decline and demise of the pub by giving local
authorities the power to remove 'restrictive covenants' put on
drinking establishments which are closed by national chains to
prevent them from re-opening as a public house.
The proposals by Newcastle Upon Tyne City Council and Ryedale
District Council (on behalf of all of the District Councils in
North Yorkshire)have been put forward as part of the latest round
of the Sustainable Communities Act, under which councils put
forward their ideas for new laws that they think will improve their
area.
The councils are seeking to ban large pub and retail companies
selling properties with restrictive covenants that prevent the
property being used for "local services", as defined in the Act,
particularly pubs and shops.
The councils say that restrictive covenants are used by large
pub and retail companies when they want to dispose of their
property but not compromise their surrounding business interests.
Some councilors feel they have been left powerless to prevent the
loss of pubs covered by restricted covenants. They say the law
encourages pub companies that are trying to shed their property
portfolio, to run down otherwise perfectly viable pubs as the
covenant provides no incentive to make the business a success when
it can easily be sold without affecting other interests nearby.
According to research for the British Beer & Pub Association
earlier this year, the rate of pub closures is accelerating, with
52 going out of business every week at a cost of 24,000 jobs over
the past year. Almost 2,400 pubs and bars have vanished from
villages and towns in the past 12 months.
Paul Rubinstein, Director of Policy, Strategy &
Communications at Newcastle City Council, 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. We are pleased our
proposals have made it to the next stage and look forward to a
positive outcome to this process"
Councillor Keith Knaggs, Leader of Ryedale District Council
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, and so are delighted that this proposal has been
successful"
The LGA has a statutory role under the Sustainable Communities
Act as the selector. As the selector the LGA is obliged to receive
proposals from councils to short-list proposals and to submit a
short list to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will
then make the final decision on which proposals to progress to
implementation.
Cllr Keith Mitchell, chairman of the LGA selector panel which
has assessed proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act, said:
"Pubs are at the heart of towns and villages across the country.
Boarded up pubs and shops are a sad reflection of the recession in
which the country is mired. Not only do they signal a local economy
in decline, they also become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour
and drag down the whole feel of an area.
"Councils are not only at the forefront of delivering great
value and high quality services for the taxpayer but are also
demonstrating that they are 21st century think tanks
that look at innovative ways to improve the lives of local people.
People working with their local council have found new ways that
could improve their towns and cities without costing hard pressed
taxpayers more money."
To add your views please check out:
LGA
website
Picture by Mike Kipling