The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Wales has welcomed Senedd First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth’s announcement of new law to protect pubs in the country.
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The new Welsh government’s first phase of legislation in the Senedd will include “the development of a community right-to-buy scheme”.
Rhun ap Iorwerth – who is also leader of Plaid Cymru – told the Senedd on Tuesday 14 July, the new community right-to-buy plan will enable eligible community groups to nominate and register valuable community assets and be given the right of first refusal when the owners decide to sell, in order to make sure these places remain in the hands of communities.
First refusal
A similar right in law in England has recently been passed by the parliament and will allow community groups to have first refusal on buying a pub registered as an ‘asset of community value’, if it is put up for sale.
CAMRA Wales director Chris Charters said: “The announcement of a ‘community right to buy’ could be a game-changer for people who want to save and take over the running of their local.
“Pubs are more than just businesses – they play a crucial role in building and maintaining cohesive communities. Where they are under threat of closure, conversion or demolition, it is right that people are given first refusal to buy it, so they have a fighting chance to save their local as a community-owned pub.
Weakest laws are in Wales
“At the moment, this is really difficult for communities in Wales to save their pub and take it on as a community business because pub protection laws are the weakest anywhere in the UK.
“As well as a right to buy the pub as a community asset, CAMRA wants to see the Welsh government offer funding for community groups to take over their local.
“Ministers should also change the law so planning permission is always required to convert a pub in Wales being converted into a restaurant, shop or takeaway, or demolished to make way for housing.
“This will help to stop greedy developers depriving a community of their pub against the wishes of local people.”
