PLANS have been put forward to turn The Old House At Home Pub in Blackley into a five bedroom house.
If your local pub is struggling don’t moan into your beer but encourage the landlord to be a bit more inventive in the way the building is used
The building on Bottomley Side, was closed and put on the market last year by Enterprise Inns and was due to be auctioned by Pugh and Co with a guide price of £125,000.
But it was bought by a keen eyed individual before reaching the sale room and they have aspirations to turn it into a family sized home.
Not sure if this was ever a favourite watering hole of Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese but it’s in his ward and he, like everyone else, has until March 9th to make his observations known to planners before a decision in April.
Given its size and location a conversion to residential seems a sensible re-use of the building but what about all the other dozens of pubs that have shut or are about to.
According to CAMRA the country is losing 16 pubs a week, more in towns and cities than in rural parts, and they want some positive action to stop the trend.
The Institute for Public Policy Research has suggested cutting business rates in half for pubs which act as a community hub arguing that they can generate between £20,000 and £120,000 of 'social value' each year.
To qualify pubs would have to show how they serve local communities by offering such benefits as job opportunities or free space for charities.
Old House At HomeRick Muir, associate director at IPPR, said: "Responsible well-run community pubs should be encouraged and supported. Our research shows community pubs aren't just places to drink but also places where people meet their neighbours, where local clubs hold meetings and events, and which support many important local services such as village post offices and general stores."
The report also suggests the relationship between big pub chains and their tenants should be reformed, and calls for the removal of a legal loophole which allows pubs to be demolished without planning permission.
Communities Minister Bob Neill says the Government is aware of the plight of many pubs and has already doubled small business rate relief for two and a half years, which gives up to 100 per cent rate relief for small firms including pubs and that country pubs may also be eligible for rural business rate relief.
He said:”On top of this, we have abolished the last government's cider tax, are cutting red tape on live music in pubs, and are stopping unfair sales of alcohol below cost-price by supermarkets.
"We are also giving local councils new powers to introduce local business rate discounts, which could support pubs which offer community facilities."
So there you go. If your local pub is struggling don’t moan into your beer but encourage the landlord to be a bit more inventive in the way the building is used and he could get a rates cut.
