Pub Closures Accelerate to one Every Three Hours - Launch of New Co-Operative Pub may be the Answer

Britain's First Urban Co-Operative Pub is Launched Today as a New Report Shows That Pub Closures Have Accelerated to One Every Three Hours

MANCHESTER, England, January 25 - The Star Inn in Salford was given three weeks' notice of closure but,
after locals clubbed together, the pub is back in business as a
community-owned co-operative.

The new pub coincides with the launch of a report, 'Calling Time on Pub
Closures - The Co-operative Answer', by Co-operativesUK which documents
rising trends in pub closures and sets out advice on creating co-operative
pubs.

'Calling Time on Pub Closures - The Co-operative Answer' is co-written by
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operativesUK and Julian Ross, who helped to
set up the pioneering co-operative pub, The Old Crown in Hesket Newmarket in
rural Cumbria.

"The Star Inn has been part of the community since 1867," said Margaret
Fowler, a local resident. "People really missed it when it was closed down
and that brought us all together to invest our own cash to re-open the pub.

"It really was easy to set it up as a co-operative and now we have got
our pub back, it's the most fantastic feeling in the world."

Ed Mayo said: "Pub closures can be like pulling the plug on local
communities.

"It is scandalous that pubs like The Star Inn are being closed at three
weeks' notice and it is a tribute to the community in Salford that they
responded in an innovative answer to the threat of closure."

Julian Ross added: "The Old Crown became Britain's first
co-operatively-owned pub and we have shown that by working together, we can
preserve something that is very important for the community.

"As a group, we believed we could safeguard our pub's future and turn it
into a co-operative, and I want to help encourage other communities to try
what we have done."

    Julian's five top tips to responding to pub closure include:

    - Establish a robust business case.
    - Encourage as many people as possible to buy into the idea.
    - Seek advice about setting up a business and talk to banks, other
      regulars and Co-operatives UK about how to structure your co-operative.
    - Establish who owns the pub.
    - Consider carefully who will run the pub.

It isn't suitable for every community but it is now an option to take
seriously.

If you are interested in finding out more about how to buy your local
pub, please download a copy of 'Calling Time on Pub Closures - The
Co-operative Answer' - tinyurl.com/ybwgm7l

In the meantime, The Star Inn's regulars and owners are raising a glass
to their new co-operative and looking forward to a bright future.

Co-operativesUK is the member-owned and led organisation that promotes
the interests of co-operatives, works to increase awareness and understanding
of co-operative values and principles, and supports the development and
growth of new and existing co-operatives. It is a focal point for the sector,
a forum for innovation and best practice, and a strategic voice for the
co-operative movement.

Co-operativesUK represents co-operative enterprise throughout the United
Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle
of Man.

In 2008, there were over 4,820 co-operative businesses in the UK, owned
by 11.3 million people (one in five of the population) and sustaining more
than 200,000 jobs. The sector had a combined turnover of GBP28.9 billion.

To find out more about co-operatives, please visit the website at
www.cooperatives-uk.coop

Community-owned pubs

The success of these community-owned pubs has also helped to inspire
another pub in North Yorkshire, The George and Dragon in Hudswell, Richmond,
to work towards becoming a co-operatively-owned pub.

    Notes to Editors:

    Photographs are available on request. All photography, interview and
    information requests should be directed to:
    Sean Bish at Ethos public relations.

    Tel:    +44(0)161-830-7640
    Mobile: +44(0)7970-875907
    E-mail: sean.bish@ethos-pr.com
    Website: www.ethos-pr.com

Photographs are available on request. All photography, interview and information requests should be directed to: Sean Bish at Ethos public relations. Tel: +44(0)161-830-7640, Mobile: +44(0)7970-875907, E-mail: sean.bish at ethos-pr.com