Time called on one in five pubs in north wales
NORTH Wales has lost 140 pubs in the region since 2001 – with one in five closing. The Office of National Statistics has revealed the scale of pub closures over the past 17 years – breaking them down for each county.
It shows that, across North Wales, the number of pubs has gone from 700 in 2001 to 560 now.
Flintshire has lost the most sites, with 45 pubs closing, followed by Wrexham with 40.
Denbighshire has lost 20 pubs, Gwynedd 15, Anglesey 15 and Conwy five.
Despite this, all the regions still have more pubs per 10,000 people than the UK average of 5.8, with Gwynedd with the highest figure at 9.4.
One of the Gwynedd pubs that has closed is The Cross Foxes Inn in Garndolbenmaen.
However, the community is now bat- tling to bring the pub back into use.
Caroll Morris, from Garndolbenmaen Community Society, said closures “kill off communities”.
She added: “This is especially true when pubs are the last asset in a village.”
She wants the Welsh Government to adopt the Assets of Community Value (ACV) legislation currently in place in England.
Communities can nominate their local for an ACV, giving greater powers to safeguard valued local pubs from developers.
CAMRA’s chief campaigns and communications Officer Tom Stainer said: “These shocking new figures show the huge loss that has been felt by communities up and down the country as beloved locals have closed down.
“Pubs play a unique role in offering a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends, they help combat isolation and loneliness and help people feel connected to their community.”