CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

The Campaign for Real Ale is calling for communities to rally behind their local pub during Community Pubs Week (Feb17th-24th) as a shocking new survey reveals more than 1,300 pubs nationwide are currently under threat from closure.

CAMRA's branches UK wide were asked for details of pubs in their area that have been permanently lost and those that face permanent closure. The figures suggest that a staggering 56 pubs a month are lost forever, and 1,300 pubs are closed with an uncertain future.

CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner said: “These damning new figures prove why CAMRA's Community Pubs Week is so important. Across the UK currently, a sword hangs over more than 1,300 pubs and falls on an average of 56 a month, depriving communities of a vital hub forever. “

This is not a problem confined to rural areas. In fact the survey revealed that 80 per cent of pubs permanently lost are in urban areas. This is due in part to the high demand for housing that often means city and town residents have to watch their community pub ripped from them to make space for another soulless development. Many pubs are also being converted to restaurants, shops and offices. CAMRA believes pubs are a unique sector and therefore should be placed in a separate Use Class to other retail businesses.

Mike Benner continued: “We can't allow ourselves to be in a situation where communities across the UK are without the amenity of a public house. At a time when more and more amenities are being lost it is time for licensees, residents and local authorities to make a stand.”

Pubs are often permanently lost after the land or building is redeveloped for housing. Currently there is a legal loophole which allows developers to demolish pubs without the need for planning permission. CAMRA is lobbying MPs in an effort to have this loophole closed. CAMRA is also calling for all new large housing developments to include provisions for a pub.

Mike Benner added: “Pubs are a meeting point for friends, neighbours, local groups, charities and sports teams. There simply is nothing to replace a well run pub and yet they are being lost at this incredible rate.

“Throughout Community Pubs Week thousands of licensees will be taking part in events and promotions for their local communities. We would urge anyone who cares about the community to visit their local next week and do their part to ensure it has a future.”

For more information on Community Pubs Week and to find out about events in your area, visit www.pubsweek.org.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The CAMRA survey is collated from a representative number of branch responses.

Permanent closures include pubs that have been demolished or redeveloped.

“Pubs under threat” includes pubs that are currently closed, with no plans to be reopened as a public house. The figure of 1,300 is as of January 1st 2007

The CAMRA survey does not take into account the number of new pubs opened across the UK. Therefore the CAMRA figure of 56 lost a month is a gross figure of pub closures. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimate a net pub closure figure of 8 per week are lost nationwide.

Community Pubs Week supersedes National Pubs Week, which ran successfully for four years until 2006. However due to evidence that community pubs are under particularly severe threat CAMRA has refocused its efforts to protect them specifically.

The new Community Pubs Week will complement a range of CAMRA-led initiatives including the Community Pubs Foundation, launched in 2005 to support campaigns to save local public houses by offering assistance to community groups, as well as a whole range of local campaigns by CAMRA to save and promote community pubs.

For more information contact:

CAMRA Press Officer Owen Morris: 01727 798443/07939 425471
CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner: 01727 798441/ 07971 591224
CAMRA Research and Information Manager Iain Loe: 01727 798449.
CAMRA Senior Press and Marketing Manager Tony Jerome: 01727 798444/ 07736 948186