Professor fights to save historic pubs

A leading academic has embarked on a crusade to secure the same protection for culturally historic pubs that listed buildings enjoy under law.

Professor Simon Davies, a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics, has already begun exploratory talks with two political parties to see whether it is possible to secure an election commitment on the protection of historic pubs.

Mr Davies, who is the brainchild behind the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) "Pubs in Time" scheme, which awards plaques to pubs recognised for being a centre of cultural significance, will begin lobbying the government in earnest from the end of this year.

"We protect the architecture of buildings where nothing has occurred of any significance whatsoever," he said. "Yet it seems to be ok to vandalise, destroy and obliterate places which shaped our country and, in some cases, shaped the world."

He added: "I guarantee you that at the next election one political party will promise to pursue regulatory protection of the pub environment."

The Clissold Arms, on Fortis Green in North London, closed down shortly after being awarded a plaque. It was the site of the first public performance of Ray and Dave Davies, founding members of the one of Britain's most influential rock bands, the Kinks, in December 1960.

Mr Davies said: "When I visited the Eagle & Child in Oxford, I sat right underneath a plaque where Tolkien and T.S. Lewis sat, argued and developed their ideas, and thought 'this is what it's about!'

"How can you possibly exchange that experience for money? And yet there have been attempts to close that pub down, buy it out, convert it. What will be lost to humanity and culture if that was to happen?"

Is your pub a historic treasure or should it be remembered for a famous event?

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