Regulars of the Ivy House pub, Nunhead, had applied to Southwark Council to have the pub listed as an ACV. This grants protection from change of use and gives community groups the right to delay a sale of the asset by six months. When the pub came up for sale, they bought it under the Community Right to Bid scheme.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has said it aims to get 300 pubs listed as ACVs this year to give communities "vital time" to put a bid together if their listed pub comes up for sale.
“Community Pubs Month is off to a Stella start - our Community Right to Bid has saved its first ever pub - the Ivy House - great news for punters in Nunhead and it comes hot on the heels of the Government taking a penny off a pint and calling time on that unpopular beer tax," said Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Brandon Lewis in a statement.
“We are determined to see more communities across the country follow in the Ivy House’s footsteps so we are working with CAMRA to encourage people to list their local as a way to safeguard the future of their favourite pub using their new community right. We’ve also extended the tax breaks for small firms like community pubs for another tax year," Lewis said.
“The incredible success of the Ivy House campaign has demonstrated how effective these new powers can be in protecting threatened pubs," said CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner. "This tireless campaign goes to show that pubs are more than just businesses, they are at the very heart of local communities and are valued by local people".
“Research commissioned by CAMRA found that 3/4 of pub-goers believe a well-run community pub is as important to community life as a post office, local shop or community centre, and CAMRA is delighted that the Government has recognised this and empowered communities to protect their pubs," Benner said.
“We’re extremely pleased to have come this far and bought the pub," said The Ivy House Community Pub Limited, the campaign group behind the purchase.
"We want to put the Ivy House back at the very heart of its community. This represents a fantastic chance for us locals to stake a claim in the character and development of our neighbourhood and help make it a more vibrant place to live," the group said.
