Number of UK pubs protected by ACV status doubles

The number of English pubs listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) has doubled in the past six months following a joint campaign between the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the government, taking the total number to 1,200.

CAMRA chief executive Tim Page (Photo: CAMRA)

The organisation’s Pubs Matter ‘Badge of Honour’ campaign was launched in August by CAMRA, backed by pubs minister Marcus Jones, in a bid to get more pubs listed as an ACV.

Without ACV status, a pub can be demolished or converted into several other uses including small supermarkets, betting shops, estate agents and pet shops without planning permission or community consultation.

The Angel in Spinkhill, North East Derbyshire, was saved after a community group fought a planning application to convert the pub into housing. The group successfully listed the pub as an Asset of Community Value and earlier this year North East Derbyshire Council refused the application to convert the pub into housing.

“The Council took the pubs ACV status into consideration and blocked plans to convert the pub”, said pub regular and Sheffield CAMRA pub preservation officer Dave Pickersgill. “It has now reopened and continues to be at the heart of our community. Without ACV status, the pub would have been lost forever”.

To date 1,200 pubs across England have been listed as ‘Assets of Community Value’, however CAMRA hopes to boost that number to 3,000 by the end of 2016.

“This figure is a testament to the effectiveness of putting power back into the hands of local communities and giving them a chance to have a say in shaping their town centres”, said Tim Page, CAMRA’s chief executive.

“We hope to more than double that figure by this time next year. ACV status also generates vital support for local pubs and highlights the wide variety of community-orientated events and activities that contribute significantly to local civic life. With 29 pubs closing every week we want to secure greater support for ACV listed pubs to ensure they continue to be at the heart of our communities.”

It’s hoped that increased awareness of ACV status will help stem the number of pub closures across the UK, which currently stands at a rate of 29 a week, according to CAMRA. At its peak in 2014 this figure climbed to 31.

Pubs Minister Marcus Jones added: “Our pubs remain at the heart of local life and CAMRA members have done their communities proud. We brought in community rights to allow people to list the local landmarks most important to their communities – allowing them a fair chance to bid for them should they be put up for sale.”