Pubgoers have welcomed the announcement from the First Minister of Wales that the new Welsh Government’s first phase of legislation in the Senedd will include “the development of a community right-to-buy scheme”.

Rhun ap Iorwerth announced in the Senedd this afternoon (14 July) that the new Community Right to Buy will enable eligible community groups to nominate and register valuable community assets and be given the right of first refusal when the owners decide to sell, in order to make sure these places remain in the hands of communities.

A similar right in law in England has recently been passed allowing community groups to have first refusal on buying a pub registered as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ if it is put up for sale.