The Community Pubs Foundation will help people save locals

It says many such pubs are turned into homes or demolished, and CAMRA has now launched the Community Pubs Foundation in an attempt to protect others.

It says the loss of a community pub can have a negative impact on the "local economy, community and tourism".

CAMRA surveyed local authorities to find out how many pubs were being demolished or converted.

Some were turned into restaurants, offices or shops.

More closures

CAMRA said that in 2000 about 20 pubs a month were being closed, but the situation had since worsened.

It said that on top of the pub closures, 438 pubs across England, Wales and Scotland remain closed and are facing an uncertain future.

CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner said pubs provide a safe environment for friends and family to relax and enjoy each other's company.

"We ask those who are seeking to demolish a pub or convert a pub for financial gain to pause and spare a thought for the effect this will have in the local community," he said.

CAMRA's survey found:

• Eight of 10 closed pubs were demolished or converted into houses

• Only 12% of those who visit pubs prefer a town centre themed pub

• 84% of those who visit pubs prefer a country pub or community local

Visitors to this week's Great British Beer Festival in London Olympia were being asked to support the Community Pubs Foundation.

Caroline Nodder, editor of trade magazine The Publican, said pub numbers in Britain fluctuate around the 60,000 mark, but it was the "classic, traditional, community pubs" which had been hit.

"It is down to many reasons, an increase in red tape, more legislation and overheads are higher than they used to be," she said.

"Also the local village pub is not getting regular trade like it used to as in a lot of cases there is not the same village community or people are choosing to go into town more.

"It is really sad because they are such a symbol of British life and is one of the first things tourists think about life here."

Your comments

I know of a Norfolk village that will soon lose its main pub because the demand just isn't there - if people don't spend their money, why should the owners keep it open when they're getting crippled financially?
Luke, London

The difference between a good ol' fashioned community pub and a high street pub, is that many are run by a landlord who can still decline a customer who has had 'too much', unlike the town bars which lack so much atmosphere and can only attract punters in by handing out free shooters with every 10 pint super-mega jug of lager.
Chris Thompson, Newcastle

They really are central to the community S Pye, New York, USA

As the daughter of a landlord and lady of a freehold country pub, I am always bitterly disappointed to see the closure of such establishments. They really are central to the community and serve as an extended family to many local people. Growing up I don't remember one Christmas or Easter when we didn't have some of the regulars who would otherwise be on their own, sit down with us for dinner.
S Pye, New York, USA

On a recent visit back to the Cotswolds I was amazed at how, in the two years since I moved to the US, so many of the country 'locals' had changed hands and lost the traditional flavour and sense of community. The current trend for chain pubs and chain stores is destroying the image of market town and rural Britain. Thank goodness there is still a local brewer making real beer out in the Cotswolds!
Ian Weddell, Washington DC, USA

The 'country pub' has a ghastly, chronically overpriced, 'Stepford Wives' feel about it. The pubs of yesteryear, the good and the bad, are simply gone. They've been replaced by safe, family friendly, something for everyone and offend no one, public entertainment centres.
Steve, UK

In all my years as an ale drinker I've seen many a good pub come and go, but it seems these days that all the young louts want to do is drink lager and cause havoc in busy towns. Let them have what they want but protect out history and local culture.
Drew Myntton, Brandhall, Smethwick

Perhaps the new licensing laws will help turn this around? Lots of "locals" in the suburbs of Chester are applying to be allowed to stay open to 1am at the weekends. If they get these licences, I imagine many people will use their local as an alternative to over-priced over-hyped bars and nightclubs in the city centre.
Julian, Chester, UK

Many of residents of our village are currently campaigning to reopen a pub closed down last year by the brewery so it could build 5 houses. Even the breweries think they can make more money out of housing than selling beer. It's not that they don't sell enough to make a profit, it's that they're greedy and don't care about the communities they provide a service to.
Simon, Winchester, UK

I just can't see country pubs surviving unless they double as restaurants Keith Wassell, Dartford, UK

The increasing pressure over the unacceptability of drink driving, and the total lack of public transport at the appropriate times outside of the major cities just makes it easier and cheaper to drink at home. Who wants to go to the pub when it costs �5 each way in a taxi, and that before you buy a pint. I just can't see country pubs surviving unless they double as restaurants to attract people out for a meal etc etc.
Keith Wassell, Dartford, UK

One of the reasons I have noted on my frequent visits to my home country for the demise of the 'local' is the change from the landlord to the manager. Managers hire people who have no connection to or interest in the customers, the products or any level of service. It is difficult to support a once-thriving pub (thatched roof and all) when I and the only other customer in the house are trying to have a conversation when loud so-called music is blasting from speakers around the house.
Frank Burden, Courtenay, B.C., Canada

Isn't it okay for the British to move slightly away from the alcohol culture that some people rely on so heavily for their social interaction? There are other focuses in life such as sports, family, arts, food etc. I don't agree that pubs provide a "safe" place for families. What are we teaching children - that adults can't relax without alcohol?
Caron Trout, Boulder CO, USA

Caron Trout's comments that Brits should move away from an alcohol culture are not taking into fact that a true local pub is a meeting place for the community. The local pubs that are closing are those that have Football and Cricket teams, outings for families and most serve good food! I miss the pub here in Canada and I think it takes from the sense of community. I hope it doesn't die in the UK.
Debs Biscoe, ex Brit Vancouver, Canada

Keep the binge drinkers and violence in the town centre John Thompson, Huddersfield, UK

As much as I enjoy the variety and diversity of real ale and the "classic, traditional, community pubs" I would hate to see them become popular. Keep the binge drinkers and violence in the town centre.
John Thompson, Huddersfield, UK

Much of this is down to short-termism. Pub companies turn a thriving local into a theme pub which increases sales for a year or two and is then abandoned as the theme moves on, leaving a pub which has pushed away the regulars - enter the developer!
Peter Johnston, Welwyn Garden City, Herts UK

No wonder pubs are closing down. I used to like visiting them, but in recent years the proliferation music or sports TV, landlords turning a blind eye to underage drinkers and �3 foamy pints have turned me away from them.
Richard, London, UK

So lots of places selling a dangerous drug are shutting down? Good: it may cut down the amount of night-time violence, noise and vandalism in the locality of these buildings.
Tony Fish, Ipswich, UK

As a town planner this breaks my heart but is no surprise. Planning guidance is geared towards the delivery of housing and fails to take sufficient account of the loss of such facilities to the community. Town centre pubs, which according to the survey are not what most people want from a pub, tend to flourish as town centre shopping policies try to support the vibrancy of local centres, whilst the stand alone pub, however viable, is made vulnerable by the potential residential value attached to the land on which it sits. Symbol of British life aside there is a very real threat to that way of life if we do not value such social venues. There are few enough places where people across the generations interact. They may not engage with each other but at least their paths cross. Without this contact there is a real danger that the current lack of understanding and trust between generations will deepen.
Gill Slater, Croydon, Surrey

The effects of pub closures are evident in towns and cities too. Cardiff has a "drinking" reputation, but we're gradually losing the character provided by traditional city centre pubs as they are either being taken over by the big breweries or turned into high street chain pubs. This is happening all over Britain. As with supermarkets forcing out local shops, the net effect is to homogenise British town centres so they have absolutely no local character of their own.
S. Weekes, Cardiff, Wales