Pubs are turning into supermarket stores at rate of two a week

More than 200 pubs have been converted to supermarkets, a rate of two a week, including 20 in Yorkshire, since January 2012

They include the Longbow, in Darfield, which became a Co-op, the Travellers Rest and the Jervis Lion in Sheffield which both became Premier stores, and the King’s Head, Bedale, which became a Tesco’s.

The research by the Campaign for Real Ale also shows Tesco is by far the most prolific pub converter, turning 110 of the 208 pubs into stores in the past two years – over three times more conversions than any other supermarket chain.

Sainsbury’s is a distant second with 29 pub conversions and even The Co-operative, who are part of a movement which backs community pub ownership, comes in third with 23.

It comes as Camra members in the East Riding raised concerns over plans to convert the Oddfellows Arms in Beverley to three homes.

Planning permission is needed to convert pubs to homes, but not to a supermarket. Camra Chief Executive Mike Benner said: “Allowing pubs to be converted to supermarkets without planning permission is ludicrous, and something which the Government need to address as a matter of urgency.”

People can show support for their local by nominating them an ‘Asset of Community Value’, which Camra says in some instances it can help prevent the closure of valued community pubs.