Camra plan to halt pub losses

In an effort to save pubs from falling into the hands of property developers, members of Darlington Campaign for Real Ale came up with a suggestion which the Government has pledged to explore.

The group aims to prevent pub chains imposing restrictions on their buildings prohibiting their continued use as a pub in the event of a sale.

These restrictive covenants are imposed to protect a chain’s other pubs nearby – but Camra has long protested against the practice.

The Darlington branch put together a proposal to remove the covenants and allow pubs to continue operating.

Peter Everett, landlord of Darlington Snooker Club and chairman of the town’s Camra branch, said: “Pubs are hubs. There are far too many closing each year and we need to make this change so people can reopen pubs.”

The Camra branch lobbied Darlington Borough Council, which backed the proposal and sent it to the Government under the Sustainable Communities Act for inclusion in the new Localism Bill, which aims to empower communities.

Camra member Malcolm Dunstone, a Liberal Democrat councillor on Darlington council, said: “Everybody could see the good sense in supporting it. This was the first motion of its kind in the country and I’m glad that Darlington was at the forefront.”

The plan has since been backed by two other authorities from the region, Newcastle and Ryedale in North Yorkshire.

In Newcastle, Liberal Democrat councillor Liz Langfield became involved when a pub in her Lemington ward faced closure.

She said: “Just because one business can’t afford to run a pub, it doesn’t mean someone else should be denied the right to have a go.”

Pubs Minister Bob Neill has ordered a consultation into the use of restrictive covenants.

By changing their use, communities have greater opportunity use the new Community Right to Buy power, which gives local groups the opportunity to buy and run community assets including local shops, pubs, libraries and leisure centres.