A call has been made to have communities take ownership of future pubs rather than having them owned by distant shareholders, according to ministers. During a recent visit to the Red Lion in Preston, Hitchin, Labour MP Alistair Strathern highlighted the success of the UK’s first community-owned pub. Originally set to be transformed into a steakhouse chain, community members rallied together in 1983 to purchase the pub through individual shares, preventing its sale.
Since then, the Red Lion has flourished as a cherished community hub under community ownership. Mr. Strathern praised the pub as a prime example of a beloved local establishment, emphasizing the crucial role community ownership played in saving and managing it.
The Labour party aims to establish a legacy of community ownership nationwide, ensuring that local groups have the opportunity to acquire and preserve important community spaces. The introduction of the Community Right to Buy initiative grants priority to community groups interested in purchasing available pubs, thereby delaying private buyers for a year.
Advocates, including the Co-operative Party, stress the importance of community ownership in sustaining and safeguarding pubs for future generations. Co-operative Party General Secretary Joe Fortune underlined the significance of community ownership in preserving vital community spaces and empowering local residents.
Removing barriers to community ownership is deemed essential for fostering a more equitable and community-focused approach to business. The vision is for pubs to be owned and operated by the community, fostering a stronger sense of community spirit and engagement, as evidenced by the positive impact at the Red Lion, remarked landlord Ray Lambe.