The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is calling deputy prime minister Angela Rayner to introduce a dedicated fund for community groups looking to take over ownership of their local pub. Ms Rayner heads the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
The call comes after the existing fund, which helped local people to take over their pub as a community-owned business, came to a sudden end before Christmas.
The Community Ownership Fund provided grants for groups of local people to take over ownership and the running of community facilities that would otherwise be sold, converted, or demolished, including pubs.
The government announced on 23rd December that the final money from the fund had been awarded to successful bidders, including eight community pubs. However, ministers also announced that no further funding or bids would be considered.
What the government is doing is introducing a Community Right to Buy for local groups looking to take ownership of a pub in their neighbourhood. CAMRA believes right to buy must come alongside a dedicated programme of advice, guidance, and funding to make sure community pubs go from strength to strength.
“Having thriving pubs at the heart of community life can be a key part of the government’s mission to have vibrant communities and thriving local economies” said Paul Ainsworth, chair of CAMRA’s planning advisory group.
“There are now over 200 community-owned pubs in the country, and this has proved to be a remarkably successful model, with previously struggling pubs now popular and successful enterprises — pubs for the people by the people.
“Ministers have already announced that they are going to introduce a Community Right to Buy for local assets like pubs that are under threat of closure or conversion. This is very welcome and is set to be a gamechanger for local people wanting to save their pub.
“However, it is vital that, as well as a right to buy community assets, groups of local people can also access advice, support, and funding to help make sure bids to take over pubs as community-owned businesses can be successful, securing the pub at the heart of community life for decades to come.”
