Pub industry 'at risk' as property prices soar

A report due out in full next year from beer interest groups will claim soaring property prices and lax planning regulations are putting the pub industry's future at risk, Caterer can reveal.

The investigation by the All‑Party Parliamentary Beer Group, with sponsorship by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), will claim the ease of turning a pub into residential or commercial property combined with lax planning regulations mean increasing numbers of boozers are being converted.

Jonathan Mail, head of public affairs at Camra, said: "The inquiry is looking at planning issues that would make it difficult for developers and speculators to make a quick profit from turning a pub into residential property."

Recent research from Camra has found that 56 pubs a month are closing.

5,000 pubs under threat, warns report >>

Camra calls for communities to fight local pub closures >>

By Christopher Walton

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