There’s a simple way to help protect local boozers from being booted out by developers, according to a group of Walworth residents.
Chair of the Walworth Society, Jeremy Leach, told the News that residents from all over Southwark came to them for advice whenever another pub was under threat.
What you need to do is “get in their early, before the developer comes along” and apply to Southwark Council for a pub to be awarded Asset of Community Value (ACV) status.
“The Walworth Society has done four ACV listings and we have also supported a number of other pubs with applications.
“People always do it in reaction to a developer coming along, but you need to do it in advance. We want people to get ahead of the game, so there’s more of chance of deterring a sale or a change-of-use planning application.
“What you need to do is collect stories from the people who use the pub and why it’s important to them.
“If you approach your local councillor they should be able to help as well. But the application can be done in a day’s work.”
Visit walworthsociety.co.uk/index.php/news/181-protecting-southwark to read the Walworth’s Society’s guide on applying to the council for ACV status.