John Porter: A real social service

A victory for common sense is always welcome, especially where it slices through even a small ribbon of the many miles of red tape the pub trade has to contend with, so the news that a government planning inspector has overruled Stoke City Council, which wanted the Village Tavern pub to take down its marquee, should warm the cockles of all out hearts.

The council's planners had objected to the marquee on aesthetic grounds, claiming it was an eyesore. Those of us who have had occasion to visit Stoke will recognise that, were the council to rigourously apply this policy, much of the city would need to be bulldozed.

However, Ian Miller, the licensee in question, appealed against the planning decision. The marquee is used as a changing room by the pub's football team. However visually unappealing the tent in question may be, it seems pretty clear that most regulars would prefer it to the sight of 11 muddy pub footballers stripping off in the saloon bar.

However, what's interesting is the planning inspector's reason for upholding the appeal. He said: "In this instance I believe the retention of the marquee would contribute to the delivery of other, broader government objectives, including promoting social inclusion and community adhesion, and health and well being."

Well, halle-flaming-luiah! Every licensee, pubco and industry body in the land should be printing off a copy of this judgement and waving it under the nose of the nearest MP, civil servant, councillor or local government bureaucrat. Every new rule and regulation afecting pubs should first be tested against the same criteria.

That's what pubs do, and that's why they need support. By giving people somewhere to meet, chat and interact, pubs promote social inclusion and community adhesion - and have done for centuries. And even if you don't turn out regularly for the pub team, a bit of banter over a pint will do a lot more for your overall health and well being than sitting watching the telly ever will.

Collectively, Britain's pubs raise huge sums of money for charity. They provide a meeting place for thousands of local organisations, from book groups to quiz leagues, and provide a social lifeline for many people.

If politicians are really serious about social inclusion and community adhesion, they really don't need to look any further than their local.