Tories promise residents 'right to buy' local pub
25 November, 2009
Communities will have first refusal on failing community assets
Residents will be given the power to take over and run failing community assets, such as pubs, the Tories have promised.
If elected, the Conservative Party said it would create a “community right to buy” for local people wanting to save struggling local facilities before they close.
Pubs, shops, post offices and parks would all be allowed to be run by the local community, under the radical plans.
The Tories claim that under Labour there are 3,500 fewer pubs, in net terms.
Caroline Spelman, shadow Communities and Local Government secretary said: “Gordon Brown’s government has closed post offices and driven local pubs into the ground.
“People feel powerless to stop their communities losing access to vital services and facilities.
“Conservatives will give bold new powers to local people to protect and improve their much-loved community assets and preserve the social fabric of their neighbourhoods.”