Pub property agents divided over registering pubs as assets of community value

Registering a pub on an ACV list means that, if the pub was to go on the market, a community group would have six months to find the money to put a bid in to buy it.

Simon Hall, director and head of pubs at Fleurets, believes it does not go far enough to save pubs.

“I’ve had one situation where I have acted on behalf of a community that has wanted to buy a pub,” he said.

“While the community has the opportunity to raise funds, when it comes down to it, the landlord does not want to play ball.

“It’s not really going to have the teeth that we thought it might.

“There are no checks and measures that say that the seller has to sell the pub to the community.

“This is a frustration and a barrier to economic growth because the property could be developed.”

However, Stephen Taylor, managing director of Guy Simmonds, believes that it could add more competition to a sale.

He said: “I’m never in favour of more red tape or regulation that could jeopardise a sale but in this case it’s not a problem because it’s giving a community a window of opportunity — and most sales will take two to three months to go through anyway.

“I have advised vendors to let the local authority know that they are thinking of selling the property, to pre-empt [interest from the community].”

DDC Davey Co managing director Paul Davey added: “I think it’s a good thing that communities have the opportunity to preserve the amenity of a pub.

“Quite often sites are viable when they are operated properly, and the community is better placed to know what it wants.

“It can therefore provide not just a service, but a hospitality centre.”

The Campaign for Real Ale is planning to get 300 pubs around the country on ACV lists this year.