The £5bn Pride in Place Strategy scheme means 169 areas will receive £2m for every year for a decade with a further 95 locations to receive an immediate £1.5m to upgrade public spaces with new green spaces, play areas and sports and leisure facilities.
The strategy document outlined how a new Community Right to Buy scheme will be introduced, which aims to give communities more powers to take ownership of spaces they value, according to the report.
The Mirror reported Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it means communities will be given the powers to save and turn around struggling pubs with the time to raise money to be extended from six to 12 months.
According to the national newspaper, he added his Government was “turning the tide” on pub closures.
Fair taxes required
The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) welcomed the move but also urged the Government to deliver fair taxes for the sector.
BII chief executive Steve Alton said: “While it is encouraging the Government recognises the vital role pubs play in local communities and as part of our national pride, they must tackle the fundamental issue that is driving failure in our long-standing pub businesses.
“Excessive and unfair taxes alongside Government-driven increases in employment costs through hikes in employment taxes and rapidly increasing minimum wage rates are strangling our pubs, reducing skilled employment opportunities, halting investment and undermining growth.
“Through fair taxes, our pubs can thrive in every community as a proud part of our cherished national heritage.”
UKHospitality echoed the BII, welcoming the community funding but reiterating the call for meaningful business rates reform.
Extortionate tax burden
Chief executive Allen Simpson added: “Funding for our communities to help regenerate our high street and restore a sense of pride in place is something that should absolutely be welcomed.
“However, we should be clear that it’s the high cost of doing business that is the reason a local pub or restaurant may have been forced to close.
“Until we tackle the costs facing hospitality, we will sadly continue to see our sector taxed out and our high streets suffer as a result.
“The tax burden on hospitality is extortionate, and the outdated business rates system unfairly penalises bricks and mortar businesses on our high streets. It ramps up cost and prevents investment.
“I’m pleased the Government has committed to reform the system and, to properly level the playing field for the high street, it needs to implement the maximum possible rates discount for all hospitality properties under £500,000 rateable value, alongside a zero rate surcharge for properties above that value, at the Budget."
