Newcastle Lib Dems pub campaign gets high level backing

1.00.00pm GMT Tue 5th Jan 2010

A campaign led by Newcastle Lib Dem councillors to force the Government to end "restrictive covenants" imposed by companies preventing sold properties reopening as pubs.

Newcastle city council has joined forces with Ryedale council in North Yorkshire and the Local Government Association to lobby the Government for a change in the rules, after noting the significant impact pub closures have on local communities. As many as 50 pubs a week closed during 2009.

Greg Stone said "The ball is now in the Government's court, but I am delighted that a local Lib Dem campaign has been taken up at a high level. Having campaigned against the closure of the Egypt Cottage pub, I know people have very strong emotional attachments to local pubs. Our proposal would help to prevent restrictive practice which force the closure of pubs even when a new operator is willing to take it on, and help to end the scandal of boarded up pubs standing empty and becoming hit by vandalism"