A new law has been introduced to protect pubs from being converted into supermarkets – marking success for a regional daily’s campaign.

As reported on HTFP in November, The Press, York, launched its Be Vocal For Your Local drive after plans were touted to turn three pubs in the city into shops without the owner having to apply for planning permission.

The new law means from Monday, pubs listed as Assets of Community Value will receive full planning protection.

The Press is also calling on the City of York Council to secure an Article 4 Direction on all pubs within the authority’s boundaries.

This would force owners of all venues, whether or not they are listed as ACVs, to apply for planning permission if they want to convert the premises.

The measure is set to be debated by the council in the coming weeks.

Senior reporter Alex Ross said: “The new law is a step in the right direction for our campaign as it gives people a chance to have a say on the future of their pubs.

“Be Vocal For Your Local set out to stop the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and The Co-Op from converting a local without giving regulars a voice, and this new legislation helps put a stop to that.

“We are still campaigning to give York’s pubs wider protection by securing an A4D for all of the city’s venues.

“This would close the planning loophole and companies would have to apply for planning permission for any conversion.

“City of York Council has already passed a motion to consider introducing a blanket A4D and this will be debated in the coming weeks.”