Reward pubs as community assets says Farron as figures for pub closures reach new high

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Jul 2009

More local pubs are closing down because of the economic downturn according to South Lakeland MP Tim Farron who was responding to figures announced today which revealed that UK pubs closed at a rate of 52 per week in the first half of the year - a third more than the same period in 2008.

Mr Farron is concerned for the future of community pubs along with others that are suffering from the increase in beer duty, cheap supermarket drink promotions and fewer people spending money in pubs as a result of the recession.

Tim has also expressed his concerned about the number of small pubs being priced out of business by the unfair practices of giant pub companies and has called on the government to consider valuing and rewarding pubs as community assets.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"The closure of local pubs is a tragedy for the local communities they serve. Community pubs play an important role in sustaining the local community and it's important that we are aware of the challenges that they are facing

"Local pubs have been threatened by the fallout from the economic downturn, with more people watching the pennies and fewer people going out and spending money in pubs.

"It is high time that the power of the huge pubcos was looked at again. The most important thing the government could do is to abolish the 'tie' which restricts tenants to only purchasing expensive goods from their pub company."

"The government should allow pubs to diversify to take on extra roles as shops, post offices and small business under the "Pub is the Hub" scheme to help pubs survive the economic downturn."