Support for new efforts to save local pubs
A local Councillor spoke in favour of measures to protect local pubs at a national conference.
Speaking at the Liberal Democrats Conference in York, Cllr Michael Mullaney backed a motion to help safeguard the future of pubs.
Michael Mullaney, the Lib Dems parliamentary spokesman for Bosworth said "For many local villages the pub is the last service they have. It's therefore vital we do all we can to protect them.
"I am delighted that the Liberal Democrats have now adopted as policy the need to give a fair deal to
pubco licensees through a market rent only option, backing the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign.
"Here in Bosworth it was positive to see the recent saving of the Bulls Head pub in Nailstone. Plans to replace it with housing were stopped by the Planning Committee and thankfully the government Inspector agreed with this decision.
"Locally in Hinckley and Bosworth we are fortunate to have a thriving Branch of CAMRA who do much good work campaigning to support local pubs I know they have been campaigning to see stronger laws to protect pubs."
The motion, A Better More Sustainable Future for Britain's pubs was passed overwhelmingly. It included proposals to:
- Change the planning system so that no pub is given change of use or permission to demolish, without it being offered at a fair market price and properly advertised for sale for at least six months
- Introduce a right for existing tenants to be given the right to buy the freehold if the owner puts the premises up for sale at independently assessed market value.
- Supporting pub company reform, including a consultation by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which asked how the principle that the tied licensee should not be worse off than the untied licensee, could be enshrined in law.