PUBS are to get a �4 million barrel of Whitehall cash to help stop them going to the wall, in measures announced today.Nearly 40 pubs are closing each week in Britain, including many in London, resulting in job losses

By Mike Brooke

PUBS are to get a �4 million barrel of Whitehall cash to help stop them going to the wall, in measures announced today.

Nearly 40 pubs are closing each week in Britain, including many in London, resulting in job losses and millions lost to the economy.

Pubs’ minister John Healey unveils a package that includes �3.3m for business support’ to make our locals more successful and even help communities buy those that flounder to keep them running.

“We need do more to support our pubs at the heart of a community,” the Minister says in a statement.

“Today’s measures are a much-needed shot in the arm’ for publicans. They will make it easier to cut red tape and lower costs, as well as giving communities a greater stake in their local pubs.”

Most radical of the Downing Street rescue package is slashing beer ties’ for struggling pubs and clubs, the rules where tenant’ landlords have to buy supplies only from their own brewery or pub company.

Landlords are to be allowed to buy local guest’ ales as well as their usual stock to widen choice. Legislation could be brought in to open up the market if the industry does not comply, the Government warns.

The package also includes relaxing some regulations for music licences in certain venues and local authorities given powers to intervene before pubs are pulled down to give time for the community to have its say.