20-Nov-2009
Morning Advertiser - Tories propose pub right-to-buy
The Conservative Party has proposed that communities should have the right to buy pubs that are threatened with closure — along with post offices, libraries and swimming pools.
A community right-to-buy would also give parents’ associations, church groups or other non-profit voluntary groups first refusal on buying community facilities such as pubs, post offices and village shops.
Shadow Local Government Secretary Caroline Spelman said:"Under Labour, local neighbourhoods have lost access to essential local services and facilities.
Gordon Brown's Government has closed post offices and driven local pubs into the ground. People feel powerless to stop their communities losing access to vital services and facilities."
Pub is the Hub Co-ordinator John Longden said: "In principle, we welcome the proposal."
He said the rural regeneration scheme has helped about 20 communities buy their pubs and "they can be very successful".
But he urged: "They've got to make sure they have the funding and advisory routes available for communities."
In the News
19-Jul-2010
Morning Advertiser - Pub is the Hub to aid 50 Welsh pubs
Pub is the Hub hopes to regenerate 50 rural Welsh pubs, thanks to support from the Prince of Wales, which will allow them to open an office there.
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17-Jul-2010
The Westmorland Gazette - New countryside fund launched
A NEW fund for farmers and people living and working in the countryside will be launched on Thursday (July 22).
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16-Jul-2010
Telepgraph - Prince of Wales will help regenerate 50 villages using pubs as community 'hubs'
The Prince of Wales will announce plans to regenerate 50 remote villages by using local pubs as community centres when he reveals the first beneficiaries of his new Countryside Fund charity next week.
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