29-Jun-2009
Denbighshire Free Press - Last orders?
RURAL pubs across North Wales are closing at record rates, with at least 40 calling time for the last time during the past two years.
Nationally pubs are currently closing down at a rate of 39 a week with more than one in 18 closing in Wales over the last four years.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar is calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to step in to try and halt the decline, which is wrecking some small communities.
Mr Millar wants the Assembly Government to cut business rates for pubs which deliver social benefits to their local communities.
"Pubs can be a real asset to their community and perform a valuable social function," said Mr Millar.
"Whether it is helping to raise funds for charity, or making rooms available for local clubs or community activities, or even post office services, pubs really do make a difference.”
The Federation of Small Businesses in North Wales is also pushing for Government action against the tie between the pubs and the companies that own them.
The group has joined the national Fair Pint Campaign and wants the tie to be referred to the Competition Commission.
The tie means that as well as paying rent, tenants are forced to buy beer and often other products, from the company that owns their pubs at prices which, tenants say, are much higher than the same products on the open market.
Mike Learmond, FSB regional organiser for North Wales, said: “I have talked to several local members suffering real distress who are just trying to earn a decent living and serve their local community while battling against unrealistic beer prices and rents imposed by the pub companies.”
Prince Charles set up the Pub is the Hub campaign in 2001 specifically to help rural pubs stay open and find additional uses for it.
In March PITH launched a three-year £175,000 Denbighshire project which was part of a £5.3 million package which Ruthin-based Cadwyn Clwyd secured from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
"It is early into the project but we have had a very encouraging response," said Malcolm Harrison, the PITH project leader for Denbighshire. “Rural pubs who are picked can receive a maximum grant of £10,000, but the pubs will still have to raise 25 per cent of the total needed themselves.”
Mr Harrison said the pubs which were likely to be chosen were around the Denbigh, Ruthin and Mold area.
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