Assembly Member Paul Davies has highlighted the importance of protecting pubs across Wales in a recent debate at the Senedd. Mr Davies talked about the importance of pubs to the tourism industry and how in rural areas, like Pembrokeshire, pubs are important community resources.
Mr Davies said, “The local pub should be at the heart of any community, but sadly here in Wales, three are closing every week. In Pembrokeshire, pubs strengthen our rural economy, provide jobs for local people and contribute to making the local area more attractive.”
“Unfortunately, the Welsh Labour Government rejected the chance to use the Localism Act to introduce a Right to Bid, which would have given communities the same rights as people in England to protect local assets. If people want to strengthen their community and work together to protect local assets, then the Welsh Government should be encouraging them, not continuing to block public engagement.”
“Ministers must accept the importance of pubs to local communities across Wales and commit to doing all that they can to protect them.”