‘Urgent action needed to stop 29 pubs a week closing’

The Campaign for Real Ale is pressing the Government to take action after the latest figures show 29 pubs a closing a week - almost twice as many as in 2011.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Jan 2015, 10:51 BST

Around three pubs a week are closing in Yorkshire, it is estimated.

A cross party group of MPs are trying to change the law so developers always have to seek planning permission before demolishing or converting a pub to a supermarket.

Camra’s chief executive Tim Page said it was far too easy for valued pubs to be lost without locals having a chance to have a say.

He said: “We hope that we can rally support from sufficient MPs to persuade Ministers to reconsider their current refusal to provide effective planning protection for viable and valued pubs.”

Charlotte Leslie, MP for Bristol North West, who tabled the amendment, said: “Of course there will be some pubs that are simply not viable but we must reset the balance in favour of the community, not the big developers.”