Almost 900 country pubs closed down in last year, campaign groups warn

20th September 2010, 2:16pm

Nearly 900 pubs closed down in rural Britain last year in the clearest signal yet that traditional village life is dying out in many parts of the country.

The National Housing Federation – backed by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) – is calling for urgent action to be taken to halt the demise of the countryside, as key services continue to disappear from village life at an alarming rate.

The BBPA revealed 893 pubs closed in rural areas last year, with 195 new boozers opening – leading to a net loss of 698 in 2009. The previous year, an estimated 650 country pubs called last orders on their businesses.

This is despite ICM polling commissioned by the Federation showing 82% of country dwellers say a pub is an important part of a village, including 46% who say it is 'very important'.

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive said: "Along with local shops, post offices and schools, village pubs are pivotal to the life of local communities across Britain. Pubs act as much more than a social venue. They are a focal point for sports teams, local groups and meetings. In addition they provide a range of community services like post offices and shops. We need a climate that allows these community businesses to thrive."

Mike Benner, CAMRA chief executive, added: "There is a pressing need for the Government to support community pubs and other local services, which is why CAMRA has praised moves by Nigel Adams MP to bring forward a new Parliamentary Bill with the potential to empower local communities threatened with the loss of local landmarks such as the pub.

"Such potentially groundbreaking legislation could help to redress the current crippling UK pub closures, but there is still a huge amount of work to be done to prevent rural communities from losing their irreplaceable social hubs."

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