North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood, who is standing for re-election to the National Assembly in May as the lead Welsh Conservative candidate in the region, has pledged his support for pub-goers and beer drinkers by backing CAMRA’s Manifesto for Wales.
CAMRA’s manifesto calls for greater protection for valued community pubs by introducing a bespoke Welsh solution to protect community assets in Wales. Local residents across England have the right to nominate ‘Assets of Community Value’ (ACVs) in their community, which has saved numerous pubs from re-development into supermarkets and housing estates. Election candidates have been asked to back similar legislation in Wales which goes even further to support local pubs.
Mr Isherwood said: “I am proud to be speaking up for pubs and real ale. Well-run community pubs play a crucial role in local life. Welsh Conservatives have a long-standing commitment to pubs, recognising their role as community assets and the need for them to be protected by the ‘Community Right to Bid’. This is something we would commit to fully under a Welsh Conservative Government”.
Ian Saunders, CAMRA Regional Director for Wales, says: “We are delighted that Mark has pledged their support for local pubs and brewers. Eleven pubs are closing every month across Wales due to gaps in planning laws, which leave them particularly vulnerable to demolition or conversion to other uses.
Pubs are more than just businesses, in many cases they are the heart of our communities and bring people together. CAMRA would like to see more support given to local people so that they have the chance to stop a much-loved pub from being demolished without any input from the community.”