CONCERNS have been raised about the number of pubs being turned into supermarkets.
Research by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) revealed that two pubs a week were turned into supermarkets during 2012 and 2013.
Three North-East and North Yorkshire pubs were included in the list of more than 200 nationally which were converted - The Lodge, in Durham City, which is now a Sainsburys; the King’s Head, in Bedale, which has been turned into a Tesco and The Turnpike, in Newcastle, which was also taken over by Tesco.
David Brazier, Camra North-East regional director, said: “Pubs benefit the local community and once they’re gone they’re gone.
“Supermarkets have a lot of money behind them and can keep appealing even if plans to takeover a pub are turned down.”
Camra said a reason pubs were being targeted by supermarket chains was that a loophole in planning law allows them to be converted to other uses without planning permission.
The group has urged communities to show their support for their local by nominating them as an ‘asset of community value’, which it said in could help prevent the closure of community pubs.
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