Bar talk: What are your thoughts on listing pubs as ACVs?

Lee Price from the Royal Pier in Aberystwyth, West Wales said: “I can see both sides because we have got to protect pubs as they are the hub of the community. It does divide but local communities do depend on the pub so they should add value to the community.”

Good idea​

Licensee of the Pack Horse Inn, Bury, Greater Manchestser Carol Cadwallader agreed with Price and said: “The listing of assets of community value have not affected us in the 30 years that I have been in the business but I must admit, it does seem like a good idea to me.”

However, Keith Marsden from the Prince of Wales, Moseley, West Midlands did not share the same view as he is not a fan of an ACV listing. He said: “I am not in favour as they can be a negative influence on someone’s business, which they have invested in. I would be in favour if the licensee had a say but having it imposed could be a death knell.”

Communities

Claire Alexander from the Ebrington Arms in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire explained she could see both arguments: “ACVs are great in keeping pubs open but they can also be instigated from communities that don’t ever use their local, meaning licensees landlords can get stuck in desperate situations.”

Earlier this year, two other licensees hit out against their pubs being given an ACV status. Read more here​.

CAMRA conducted a survey regarding ACVs and the findings showed that 85% of licensees said customers valued a pub being ACV-listed​.