Cambridge City Council said that there are 84 pubs in Cambridge, and 21 have closed in the past five years — many more if those that have become restaurants are included.
It has appointed consultant GVA Humberts Leisure to gather evidence to guide future planning decisions around pub closures. This will also be included in a local plan, due to be implemented in 2014, which determines where future development will take place.
Councillor Tim Ward said: “Public houses, especially those that support local community activities are vital in supporting vibrant neighbourhoods. It’s not just a case of where people can go for a drink. Their closure will deprive both local people and visitors of an important meeting place that hosts local activities.
“Cambridge City’s Public House Study will provide a comprehensive study of all public houses in the city and help identify their value to the community and how their loss will affect the vitality of a local community.”
The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) head of policy and public affairs Jonathan Mail said: “CAMRA is delighted that Cambridge City Council is looking at what measures it can take through the planning system to support and protect viable local pubs.
“The fact that in Cambridge alone one in five public houses has disappeared in just five years shows the urgency of the problem and the need for action.
“Effective council planning policies on supporting pubs are critical to ensuring profitable pubs valued by the community are not easily snapped up by housing developers looking for development sites. There is also a role for the planning system to smooth the way for licensees wishing to make minor adjustments to their pubs in order to boost trade.”