The first minister has announced that the new Welsh Ggovernment’s first phase of legislation in the Senedd will include “the development of a community right to buy scheme”.
Rhun ap Iorwerth said the measure would enable eligible community groups to nominate and register valuable community assets. They would be given the right of first refusal when the owners decide to sell. A similar right in law in England has recently been passed by the UK Parliament.
“Pubs are more than just businesses — they play a crucial role in building and maintaining cohesive communities,” said Chris Charters, director of CAMRA Wales.
“Where they are under threat of closure, conversion, or demolition, it is right that people are given first refusal to buy it, so they have a fighting chance to save their local as a community-owned pub.
“At the moment, this is really difficult for communities in Wales, to save their pub and take it on as a community business, because pub protection laws are the weakest anywhere in the UK.”
He added: “As well as a right to buy the pub as a community asset, CAMRA wants to see the Welsh government offer funding for community groups to take over their local.
“Ministers should also change the law so planning permission is always required to convert a pub in Wales into a restaurant, shop, or takeaway, or demolished to make way for housing. This will help to stop greedy developers depriving a community of their pub against the wishes of local people.”
