Southampton MP John Denham has joined calls for Government action to slow the tide of pub closures in the county.
The MP has backed a motion being debated in Parliament today calling for a statutory code of practice for pub companies to ease pressure on pub tenants and managers.
Studies suggest that 25 pubs are closing every week nationwide. At least 30 have closed in south Hampshire in the last three years, with the Talking Heads venue in Mr Denham's constituency the latest to shut its doors.
Mr Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, said: “The pub is such an important feature of Southampton's community and it is very concerning to see the number of community pubs in Southampton declining at an alarming rate.
In my constituency, pubs such as the Merry Oak, Eagle and Winning Post have been closed and empty for some time, and we know this same story is being played out in other parts of the country too.There are some practices by large pub companies which are undoubtedly fuelling this decline that a legislative code of practice could address.
The debate follows a report by a committee of MPs who saw no other alternative than legislative intervention to halt pub closures and tackle issues such as restricted covenants and beer ties, which are mostly blamed by tenants with financial problems.
While he was secretary of state for communities and local government Mr Denham said that if the previous voluntary code of conduct failed, a Labour Government would back legislation.
Hampshire Pubs for Sale
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