Pubs under threat after Government axes scheme allowing communities to save them

Pubs could be under threat after the Government scrapped a scheme allowing communities the opportunity to save them.

The community ownership fund, which was launched in 2021, was set to run until the end of March and keep £150 million available to help people rescue local treasures on the brink of closure.

The initiative was closed earlier than planned with millions of pounds unallocated in an attempt to budget for Sir Keir Starmer’s priorities.

Sir Keir was branded a “Scrooge” for scrapping the scheme just days before Christmas as the Government blamed the decision to on the state of public finances.

Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said it was an act “worthy of Scrooge”, especially after Labour hammered businesses with tax rises at the October Budget.

Labour’s ‘war on pubs’

He told The Telegraph: “Local people across the country used this fund to save businesses like beloved village pubs.

“Closing the fund just before Christmas and whilst money was still unspent, is an action worthy of Scrooge, especially when the Government has given billions for Ed Milliband’s pet projects.

“With many businesses predicted to fail at the start of next year due to Labour’s Budget, this scheme would have been needed more than ever.”

Labour has been accused of waging a “war on pubs” since taking office in July, floating plans to ban smoking in pub gardens and tighter rules on opening hours.

The Chancellor extended an olive branch to the sector by knocking 1p off the price of a pint at the Budget with a cut to draught duty.

So far, around £135 million of the promised £150 million has been allocated from the community ownership fund to 409 projects over the course of the scheme, with a further £8.5 million having been used to provide support before and after applications.

Scheme revived village life

As well as cherished pubs, the fund was credited with saving music venues, historic theatres, museums, parks and cinemas.

Recipients have included the Radnor Arms in the Welsh village of New Radnor, which was saved by £400,000 raised in part through the community ownership fund.

Hermione Evans, a resident of the area, told the Brecon & Radnor Express: “It will be wonderful to have life and conviviality restored to the centre of our village community. A welcome for all.”

Residents hoping to save The Bell in Odiham, Hampshire, were also awarded nearly £1 million to buy, repair and renovate it.

Ranil Jayawardena, then the area’s Tory MP, said it would save the pub “for this generation and the next”.

The final £36 million round of funding announced on Monday will go to 85 projects across Britain, including at least 35 community centres, eight pubs and eight parks.

A total of 19 sports clubs and leisure facilities will be saved, along with four historic swimming pools such as the 1960s Portishead Lido in North Somerset and the Victorian Shoalstone Pool in Devon, which is one of the last tidal pools left in the country.

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