Use your local pub or lose it
I see that a parliamentary Bill aiming to give people the power to stop local pubs being torn down or having a change of use without consultation has been tabled today.
MP Greg Mulholland has introduced the “presentation” Bill, which says councils should need planning permission before a premises of land used as a “local service” is demolished or converted for change of use.
I think that Mr Mulholland has got it half right; it will be great if the locals can oppose the closure of their local pub. On the other hand why should any pub owning company keep a pub open if the locals do not frequent and support it?
Pubs are not only a community service they are commercial undertakings, the solution lies in the hands of the customer, use it or lose it!
Martin Read
