Landlord’s support for pub conversions

A SPRINGHEAD landlord has hit back at Oldham Council’s review into pub closures.

Mark Hughes, who owns the Dog & Partridge pub and previously ran the Grotton Hotel, says the authority should support pubs that are succeeding — and allow those that aren’t to be converted for other uses.

He slammed a motion proposed to Oldham Council by Councillor John Dillion as “a complete waste of time.”

Councillor Dillon urged the closing of a loophole which allows pubs to be converted or demolished without planning permission.

The councillor also wants the council to investigate powers to prevent pubs being converted into small supermarkets, betting shops or other outlets without planning permission.

But Mr Hughes said: “The way he talks about the loophole in the law is a complete misunderstanding of the trade.

“Converting pubs into shops or hairdressers is not a bad idea, as long as the new business thrives.

“The Government set planning law so people could convert pubs — so we’re not stuck with a building we can’t do anything with.

“The reality is people can’t afford to run pubs unless they are packed to the rafters every day.”

Mr Hughes says he lost £50,000 in three years when he ran the Grotton Hotel.

It is now a Co-op store.

Mr Hughes says a lot of pubs are struggling because most of them are owned by pub companies, which charge high rents to tenants and high prices for beers.