CAMRA launches Community Pubs Week

November 4, 2006: The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is planning a national week of action in February to help preserve and promote pubs that serve as an irreplaceable asset to their local community yet are closing at a frightening rate.

CAMRA research in 2005 showed that 26 pubs a month are lost in Britain, and these are more likely to be community pubs, rather than theme or chain bars.

Community Pubs Week — from February 17 to 24 — will aim to raise the profile and importance of pubs in the community and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to support these valuable amenities.

CAMRA defines a community pub as one that appeals to a wide cross-section of local people rather than being predominantly targeted at particular social or age groups.

CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner said: “All soaps on TV and radio have community pubs — The Bull, The Rovers Return, The Queen Vic, The Woolpack — but sadly many real communities in rural and urban areas are in danger of losing or have already lost their community pub.

“Community pubs, particularly those in more remote rural areas, are often the hub of the lives of the local people. None of us want to be in a situation where the only way we speak with our neighbours is through a car window or a stolen conversation at a supermarket many miles away. However, an increasing number of these pubs are being permanently lost.

“The smoking ban in place or coming into force shortly in different parts of the UK means pubs face a difficult time in 2007. People need to realise that their local is a valuable asset that must be protected.

“We know people care about their communities as, in a terrific show of support, four million people recently signed a petition calling for the Government to do more to save rural post offices.

"The threat to the community pub is extremely dire and unless we do something to curb the trend CAMRA fears many communities will find their local pub torn from them.”

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