A new Heritage Pubs Bill introduced in Parliament last week has garnered support from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) group.
The bill was put forward following the destruction of the Grade II listed Crooked House pub in Dudley.
We take a look at what this bill includes, the support and criticism it has received from campaign groups and how it could affect those looking at buying a listed building.
What is the Heritage Pubs Bill?
The Heritage Pubs Bill aka 'The Crooked House Law' is an initiative aimed at preserving Britain's historic pubs by encouraging pub owners to submit the pubs they believe are of historical significance.
The bill calls for councils to maintain a register of heritage pubs in their area, encourage and speed up listed building applications and restrict the sale of these historic public houses.
The bill was introduced by Dudley North MP Marco Longhi MP on the 24 April and he said: "This beloved pub with its unique character and rich tapestry of stories was senselessly destroyed in what was seen by most as the ruthless pursuit of profit over preservation. The Crooked House was not just a pub.
"Anybody who might push back at this assertion should perhaps explain why it is that across the country, historic pubs, the hub of many local communities, are under threat from the same forces that claimed the crooked house."
Support from beer campaigners to pass the bill
CAMRA praised the bill and called for the government to pass the bill, forcing any changes to historic pubs to require planning permission or listed building consent.
Gary Timmins, CAMRAs Pub and Club campaigns director, said: “We welcome this proposal from Marco Longhi MP. The support he and West Midlands mayor, Andy Street, have provided for the protection of heritage pubs has been vital in helping to save the country’s historic pubs.
“After the tragic and deliberate destruction of the Crooked House, great work has been done to order the re-construction of the heritage pub.
“But this must never be allowed to happen again, and stronger planning enforcement laws must be implemented by the government to prohibit any more vital, historic pubs being lost again.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Six months on from the Crooked House tragedy, it’s a reminder to appreciate our precious cultural heritage - not least our local pubs. They are vital community assets deserving of protection and we’re working with CAMRA to do just that."
Claims bill could lead to more pub closures
Support for the Heritage Pubs Bill is not shared by everyone as the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned of the potential impact of the bill.
Chief executive of the BBPA, Emma McClarkin, claims the bill could deter investment in pubs leading to their closure as she highlighted the increasing trend of pub closures since 2022.
She stated: "It is right that MPs understand the need to safeguard historic pubs.Pubs are a cultural and social cornerstone of communities up and down the country.
"However, now is not the time to introduce new regulations on pubs that may have unintended consequences and even disincentivise investment."
