The call has been made for the future of pubs to be in the hands of local communities rather than distant shareholders, according to ministers. Labour MP Alistair Strathern advocated for community ownership during a visit to the Red Lion pub in Preston, Hitchin, the UK’s pioneering community-owned pub. In 1983, the pub faced conversion into a steakhouse chain, but community members rallied, purchasing individual shares to prevent the sale.
Since then, the Red Lion has thrived under community ownership, serving as a vital hub for the local community. Mr. Strathern praised the pub, emphasizing the significance of community ownership in its preservation and successful operation. He highlighted Labour’s commitment to promoting community ownership nationwide, ensuring that local groups have the opportunity to possess cherished establishments.
The Community Right to Buy initiative grants priority to community groups in purchasing pubs when they become available, deterring private buyers for a year. The Your Pub Needs You campaign by The Mirror has consistently advocated for enhanced support for pubs as essential community venues. The Co-operative Party asserts that community ownership not only rescues pubs but also secures their future.
Joe Fortune, the General Secretary of the Co-operative Party, emphasized the importance of community ownership in maintaining vital community spaces amidst closures. He stressed the empowerment of local communities through ownership, contrasting it with profit-driven shareholders. Encouraging the removal of obstacles to community ownership, he believes it offers a more sustainable model for future generations.
Ray Lambe, the pub’s landlord, highlighted the enhanced community spirit at the Red Lion due to its communal ownership structure, stating that the village’s ownership incentivizes community members to engage actively with the pub.