CAMRA members barred from pub they listed as an ACV

Colchester and North East Essex CAMRA championed the listing of the Leather Bottle, Colchester, which gives the pub additional protection against being converted.

Licensee Paul Hiller said he planned to appeal the decision made by Colchester Council.

He told the Colchester Gazette​: “These do-gooders have no right to interfere on property that I own. I would be interested to know whether the real ale drinkers actually come to the pub because if they do then they are barred.

"I have no plans to sell the pub but don’t think there should be any restrictions put on me.”

CAMRA defended the move to list the pub. Head of communications Tom Stainer told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser​ licensees with ACVs should not feel discouraged, as the status has advantages.

“Pubs with ACV status can still be sold; licensees wishing to sell their pubs can save on agent fees by selling directly to the community,” he said.

When an owner intends to sell, ACVs trigger a moratorium giving community groups six months to raise the funds to buy the pub.

“Pubs sold as going concerns are not subject to the moratorium, so there is no delay in cases where the purchaser fully intends to keep the pub open,” Stainer argued.

Hiller has spent more than £100,000 of his “hard earned money” on refurbishments since buying the pub in October 2013.