Pubs that have historic, architectural or community value will now by protected by Article 4 Directions, which mean owners need to ask for permission before knocking them down or changing their use.
Currently, developers do not always need planning permission to demolish a pub. Article 4 directions remove permitted developers rights, leaving the fate of the pub in the hands of council planners.
Deputy council leader Jonathan Cook said: “We cannot sit by and watch all our much-loved local pubs close, or become supermarkets or estate agents. We have come to the conclusion that the best way to protect them is Article 4 Directions alongside stronger planning guidelines.
“We hope by doing this we will keep our communities strong and protect our common cultural and architectural heritage.”
121 pubs in the borough have been identified as being viable for the protection, including the Alma, the Ship and the Cat’s Back.
Peter Martin, who is the tenant at the Harvey and Sons of Lewis lease the Cat’s Back, welcomed the protection but added that the situation for UK pubs isn’t as dire as the headlines make out.
He told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser: “The Article 4 Directions are a very good thing. The erosion of culture in communities is happening faster and faster, and the more places there are to meet , to share ideas and have a good time the better.
"If pubs aren’t there, it’s a real loss. However, I do think that some of the statistics people quote about pub closures don’t show the whole picture. Good pubs are thriving and bad pubs are closing. You used to be able to just open the door and expect to make good money-now you have to be promoting, have great food, run outreach programmes-there is so much more to consider.
The Article 4 Directions are expected to come into force in September next year.