In a recent discussion, government officials were urged to consider community ownership as the future model for pubs, rather than being controlled by distant shareholders. Labour MP Alistair Strathern highlighted this point during a visit to the Red Lion, Preston’s first community-owned pub. The pub’s community members successfully prevented its conversion into a chain establishment in 1983 by purchasing individual shares to acquire ownership.
Since then, the Red Lion has flourished as a vital community hub under community management. Mr. Strathern praised the pub’s success, emphasizing the crucial role of community ownership in saving and operating such cherished local establishments. He expressed Labour’s commitment to fostering community ownership nationwide to ensure that communities retain control over their most cherished spaces.
The Community Right to Buy initiative grants priority to community groups seeking to purchase pubs, preventing private buyers from acquiring them for a year. This initiative aligns with The Mirror’s “Your Pub Needs You” campaign, advocating for enhanced support for pubs as essential community venues. The Co-operative Party also advocates for community ownership, asserting that it not only preserves pubs but also safeguards their future.
According to Co-operative Party General Secretary Joe Fortune, community ownership revitalizes community spaces, empowering local residents rather than profit-driven investors. Facilitating community ownership will pave the way for a more sustainable business model for future generations, where pubs are owned and operated by the community for the community’s benefit.
Landlord Ray Lambe echoed this sentiment, highlighting the enhanced community engagement and spirit that arises when the community has a stake in owning the pub.