Marcus Jones will present the first ‘This Pub Matters’ window sticker badge to Tina Massie, licensee of the Red Lion, Knotty Green, Berkshire at the Campaign For Real Ale's (CAMRA) Great British Beer Festival in London today.
Recent stats show neighbourhood suburban pubs are closing the fastest - 17 of 29 closures per week - compared to nine in rural locations and three on the high street.
This prompted CAMRA and the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) to launch the joint initiative to protect England’s most valued pubs – those listed as Assets of Community Value (ACVs).
Vital protection
Tim Page, CAMRA chief executive, said: “Pubs achieve ACV status by local people coming together and listing the pub as an asset. It is a badge of honour, a mark of quality and a crystal clear sign that the pub is valued by locals.
“With pub closure figures remaining high, and new figures showing 17 suburban pubs are lost each week, it's even more vital that pubs are given protection by the government and that communities are given a say before they are demolished or converted.”
The 800 pubs already listed as ACVs will receive the window sticker, which states ‘This Pub Matters’, with CAMRA looking to increase that number to 3,000 by the end of 2016.
The aim is to encourage more community groups, pub-regulars and CAMRA branches to nominate their local pub and ensure it is protected.
'Confidence'
Community Pubs Minister Marcus Jones said: “The Great British pub is a national treasure which is why we brought in new powers so people can help protect their local by listing it as an asset of community value. Hundreds of communities have seized this opportunity and I am delighted this is being recognised today at the Great British Beer Festival.
“There is an increasing confidence in the sector with community ownership of public houses starting to take off and the boom in Great British brewing. However, we must be realistic that planning rules alone cannot keep pubs open which are not making money, therefore this Government’s broader strategy of lower taxes, less regulation and a growing economy is the best way to support a thriving and diverse sector.”