Protecting your Local – Assets of Community Value (ACV)

Well run pubs play a pivotal role in local communities, but are increasingly under threat of demolition or being converted to another use by large developers, with 27 pubs closing every week (as at January 2016).

As a pub lover and local campaigner, your first step to saving a pub from this fate is to list it as an 'Asset of Community Value' (ACV). You can do this even before a pub is under threat, which will give the pub added protection under planning law. Please note that ACV listings only apply to pubs across England.

What can you do to help?

All the Cheshire CAMRA branches are actively exploring ACV’s for pubs within their areas. If you know of a pub that you feel would benefit from ACV listing, or one you know is under threat of change of use or demolition then please let us know by contacting Pub Protection Officers.

In Warrington the Sportsman’s Arms in Penketh is going through the process in an attempt to stop it being demolished and converted into a Netto (as if Warrington hasn’t got enough supermarkets already?!). So another CAMRA led campaign to stop this so called development. Well actually, no. This campaign has come through the locals who regularly drink there, in other words the Community. Organiser John Myers took little time to sign up the 21 local names to nominate the pub, a ‘Save the Sportsman’s Arms’ Facebook page was set up with over 500 members. David Mowat, the local MP, has also given his support to save the pub.

We have alos been working working with Lymm Parish Council to list the Star in Statham as an ACV. This is another example of a historic village pub starved of investment by its pubco owners in recent years and whilst there isn't a current tangible threat, rumours have surrounded the pub's future for some time. From experience CAMRA has learnt it is much easier to apply for an ACV for a pub that is still trading, rather than one which has closed when it is almost certainly too late. This application was registered by Warrington Borough Council in April with a decision due by 9th June.

A few other applications across both the Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester council areas are at various stages of negotiation but the first notable success was when WBC approved Stretton Parish Council's nomination of the Ring O'Bells, Lower Stretton as an Asset of Community Value on 11th March.

List your Local

So if you love your local pub and think it adds value to your community, then apply for it to be registered as an ACV to give it extra protection from developers (England Only). Without ACV status developers can convert local pubs to a wide range of retail uses or even demolish them without applying for planning permission, denying local people a say. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your local pub as an ACV today.

You can apply for the listing as an informal group of 21 local people, as a Parish Council or even as a CAMRA branch. CAMRA is working with its branches across the country to protect valued pubs by listing then as ACV’s. By March 2016 1500 pubs had been listed but much still has to be done to achieve our target of 3000 by end 2016.

Community Groups (and CAMRA members and branches) can either fill out their local council application form and ask CAMRA’s support team for any further advice and to assist with the necessary land registry documents by emailing ku.gro.armac@vca, or alternatively CAMRA has an online nomination form see, http://www.camra.org.uk/list-your-local.

Reasons why ACV listing is beneficial to licensees:

1/ An ACV accreditation is a quality mark which confirms that the pub is valued by local people and is an important part of community life. This can be used to promote the pub to customers and could increase trade.

2/ ACV status can prevent the pubco selling the pub to a property developer without the pub licensee being informed. The licensee would also have the opportunity to bid for the pub themselves.

3/ The initial moratorium on demolition or change of use is just six weeks which is much shorter than the time it usually takes to find a buyer and for solicitors to complete a sale. The moratorium is only extended to six months if a community group expresses an interest in buying the pub. A sale to the community can take place within the six months.

5/ Pubs sold as going concerns are not subject to the moratorium. So there is no delay in cases where the purchaser fully intends to keep the pub open.

6/ ACV status can start a conversation with the community group who have the opportunity to work together to increase business.

7/ ACV status may help when applying to alter licensing hours or applying for planning permission to extend a pub to increase viability. This is because the ACV status provides evidence that the pub is valued and supported by the community.

8/ CAMRA are campaigning for ACV pubs to be given enhanced support by Councils and Government. One of the ideas we are pursuing is the extension of business rate relief for pubs listed as ACVs which would save licensees money.

9/ ACV status can be used to secure valuable positive publicity in local media.

10/ Having got the pub listed, people in the community are more likely to feel loyal to the pub and use it more regularly.

What is gained by ACV listing:

• Nominating your local as an ACV ensures it is protected in your community. Currently a pub can be demolished or converted to several other uses without a planning application – meaning your local can be converted over night without your knowledge! Nomination removes the existing permitted development rights which ensures the pub is protected under planning law should it come under threat.

• Having more of a say over what happens to pubs in your local community. You will be consulted if any pub you have nominated is threatened.

• Engaging positively with licensees and connecting with other local groups, MP’s and Councillors to campaign to protect your local pub.

• If you list a pub as an Asset of Community Value, you not only protect it under planning law but also have the opportunity to bid on the property as a community.

• There is no obligation to take over the management of a pub if you list it as an ACV, but recent years have seen a big increase in community-owned pubs.

• The idea of working with your neighbours to run a pub business may seem daunting, but it is possible and being done successfully across the country. Taking ownership enables you to influence the direction of that pub business ensuring it meets community needs, supports the local economy and has the option to diversify.