Threat to future of urban pubs
Nearly 60 pubs are closing in the UK every month and 1,300 are currently under threat, it's been claimed.
The figures come from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which is blaming a loophole in the law for the crisis.
It says that many of the pubs that are closed are in urban areas. They are being converted into housing, shops or offices - and developers legally don't need planning permission to demolish pubs.
Spokesman Mike Benner said that closing pubs is "depriving communities of a vital hub forever".
